WITHOUT being a Liberal, I agree with the sentiments expressed by Peter J Brown on lap dancing clubs (HAS, Sept 1).

I imagine that closely associated with lap dancing will be prostitution.

Prostitution will go on and the main problems with it are not directly connected with lap dancing per se.

Where a woman is selling sex it should be discreetly, so as not to outrage the sensibilities of others around her. It can be accompanied by her exploitation by pimps, and it can lead to the taking of recreational drugs and addiction to them. It makes participants - both prostitute and client - vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.

Mr Brown is right to draw attention to other pursuits which in their ways are worse. Sex is the most natural thing in the world and my main concern is where it leads to exploitation, and this can happen in settings which are not frowned on by the great and the good.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.