A BOLTON businessman has vowed to carry on stripping - despite a council bye-law which bans Full Monty-style shows. John Blackburn, owner of town centre pub The Place, said he would continue booking all-male strip groups because the raunchy acts were what customers wanted. "It's time Bolton was truly part of Europe," he said. "Some of the councillors and council officers have such old fashioned views that they are threatening trade and jobs in Bolton."

Council bye-laws dating back to 1843 forbid indecent exposure and club owners flouting the rules could face fines or be hauled before licensing bosses.

Strip shows in Halliwell, Westhoughton and Farnworth have recently been stopped and a performance at Bolton's Ritzy nightclub toned down because of the legislation. But Mr Blackburn, preparing his pub for an all-male show tonight, said it was time attitudes were relaxed. "Why can't people be allowed to go somewhere of their own free will to watch something they want to watch?" he said.

No-one was available for comment from Bolton Council, but the authority has previously said only evidence of strong public opinion in favour of change could lead to the bye-law being revoked.

Principal trading standards officer Andrew Fisher recently told the BEN: "We can't win either way on this one.

"If they are banned, we have people saying we are spoilsports. But, if we allow it, we have people who take the moral line and say we are not doing enough."

Meanwhile, Mr Blackburn, whose pub is in Ash Street, off Manchester Road, said he did not expect council repercussions because his shows would not technically break the bye-law.

"We'll be doing the Full Monty but in the best possible taste," he said. "We won't be flouting the letter of the law."

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