SERIOUSLY ill Bolton babies will lose out after a charity night strip show was banned. The Ladies' Night in aid of the Royal Bolton Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit and Bolton Hospice was due to be held at Bolton Anglers' Club tonight. Organiser Caroline Avery had booked a male stripper for entertainment and was confident the night would be a sell-out.

But her plans have been ruined after police threatened to enforce an ancient council bye-law, dating back to 1843, forbiding indecent exposure. Club owners who disregard the laws face fines or a grilling before licensing magistrates.

Worried staff members from the club rang Caroline to tell her that her plans would have to be scrapped.

But now she says more than 50 women have demanded refunds, meaning tickets sales are down by £275!

And the furious woman claims the stripper wasn't even going to go the 'Full Monty' and would have kept his G-string on. But officials demanded that the exotic dancer keep his pants on.

Mrs Avery, 49, of Affleck Avenue, Kearsley, said: "Everyone is over 18 and they know what to expect if they're coming to see a stripper perform. It's just a bit of good, clean fun which doesn't offend anyone.

"Ultimately it's the children and the charities who are losing out in all of this, not to mention the women who were looking forward to a good night out.

"It's just like being back at school with someone telling you what you can and can't do."

Caroline has had to book a comedian and a drag artist instead.

In the past Bolton Council bosses have said that only strong public opinion could force a change in the bye-law.

And Cllr Cliff Morris, chairman of the Licensing Sub-Committee said anyone who wanted the bye-law changing should write to the council.

He added: "As far as I'm aware no one has written to the council objecting to the bye-law or asking us to review it. If people feel strongly about the situation they should put their views in writing to their MP or to the council so the matter can be put on an agenda for debate.

"We have enforced the bye-laws in the past following complaints about the acts which were being performed. We must abide by the law."

Dave Turtington, consumer protection manager at Trading Standards, confirmed that council chiefs have asked for a briefing to be prepared on the ancient bye-laws.

Other Bolton club owners have had to ensure that male review dancers do not go too far. Male dancers who performed at the Ritzy nightclub three times last month were told to keep their vests and shorts on.

Dave Evans, the club's promotions manager, says the crowd's reaction was still favourable.

He added: "The dancers said they've never come across this kind of thing during their tour. But the fact that they kept their clothes on didn't matter and it left it up to the imagination!"

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