A LESBIAN couple stormed out of a Bolton nightclub after security staff told them to stop kissing.

Gemma Norris and her partner say they were told to stop their public show of affection on the dance floor.

Today university graduate Miss Norris, aged 21, condemned the owners of the Club IndieGo, in Spa Road: "This kind of discriminatory attitude is horrendous."

Club owner Gay Nuttall defended the "no kissing" ban but stressed the two women were not asked to leave the club.

She said: "It is our policy that if two people of the same sex are kissing, we explain that we are a straight club and ask them not to continue.

"This has never caused us any problems and I have never asked anyone to leave becasue of this in 11 years."

Miss Norris was on a night out with her student partner, also aged 21, at the club, when they were ordered to stop kissing by security staff.

She said that a female member of staff told her that IndieGo was a "straight venue," and they would have to leave if they were spotted kissing again.

Miss Norris protested, but said that another member of staff told her that it was part of the club's policy and they must abide to the rule or go elsewhere. They then left.

Miss Norris, who has been going to the popular club for several years, said: "We had been there for about two hours and were dancing and holding hands.

"I simply gave my girlfriend a kiss, and a female member of staff told me that we would have to leave if I did it again. It was absolutely ridiculous."

Miss Norris said she asked to speak to a manager at the club but was then again told that the club was a "straight" venue and their behaviour would not be tolerated.

She said: "There was nothing remotely offensive or obscene about what we were doing, and there were plenty of other couples doing the same."

Commenting on the incident, she said: "We were so embarrassed, as it was done in front of lots of people. We did not feel welcome at all.

"I have been going to the club for years, but I've never heard of any ruling against gay people there."

Miss Norris, who graduated as a drama student last month and hopes now to embark on a teaching career, now plans to write to gay rights groups and magazines across the North West about the issue.

Miss Norris, who lives in Farnworth, said the club's policy reflected badly on the town as a whole.

She said: "This kind of discriminatory attitude is horrendous, especially in a town like Bolton which strives to be more diverse and culturally aware."

Club IndieGo owner Gay Nuttall, said: "We are a straight club, and have nothing against gay couples.

"Our policy is that people are asked not to behave like this in the club.

"It can be offensive to customers, and in the past trouble has started.

"The policy is simply for the comfort of our other customers.

"Generally people do not mind two girls kissing, but we have had problems arise where customers have confronted gay male couples.

"I hope these people understand that if we ask someone to stop doing something it is for the safety of themselves.

"We welcome all people of different races and sex into our club.

"I do not find gay couples remotely offensive, but sadly we have experienced complaints over the years."

She said the couple were not asked to leave the club only asked to stop kissing.

The nightclub has an "ejections" book and the couple's names were not "booked" in that night.

Lisa Buklovskis, development worker with the Manchester based Lesbian Support Project, which offers advice, said: "This is typical of the homophobia experienced on a regular basis by lesbians and gay people."

What do you think about Club IndieGo's policy? Write to: Letters Editor, Bolton Evening News, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE