STOURBRIDGE MP Lynda Waltho’s campaign to tighten regulations on lap dancing clubs has won high profile backing.

Speaking at this week’s Labour Party conference, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith MP pledged to give communities a stronger say in stopping lap dancing clubs from opening.

Mrs Waltho, who has been lobbying for a change in the law on lap dancing since April, welcomed the announcement.

Mrs Waltho said: “It seems ridiculous to me that in this day and age you can object to your neighbour building a porch next door, but cannot object to a lap-dancing club opening up 200 yards down the road.

“Local communities need more say about whether lap-dancing clubs should exist in their neighbourhood and I am pleased that the Home Secretary has recognised this.

“I look forward to seeing how this support will translate into legislation over the next month or so.”

Mrs Waltho believes lap dancing clubs should be licensed as sex encounter venues, similar to sex shops, rather than as conventional clubs and bars.

Is Lynda Waltho right to call for a change in the law on lap dancing licensing? Have your say by clicking ‘comment’ on this story.