TIGHTER controls on lap dancing and strip shows have been imposed following the first requests to stage the steamy shows in Crewe and Nantwich.

The special rules were brought in by Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council after two clubs said they wanted to stage the risqué performances.

The council imposed the new conditions on Friday in an attempt to move with the times as the racy shows become more popular.

The rules will mean that strip shows and lap dancing can no longer go ahead without the council's written consent.

Performers, who must be aged over 18, will only be able to dance and strip on stage or to seated members of the public.

Audience participation will also be banned and no one allowed into dressing rooms other than the performers.

The clubs will also have to display notices barring entry to anyone under 18 while suggestive signs or images outside the club are banned.

Cllr Stan Davies, chairman of the regulatory committee which imposed the conditions, said the decision was an effort to keep up with changing times.

He said: 'We made this decision after two clubs from the area indicated that they would like to put on lap dancing.

'They spoke to the police who said they had no objections and in the end it is a form of dancing and entertainment so there was little we could have done.

'At the moment if they have a public entertainments licence, they don't have to ask us, although the two clubs have agreed to adopt these new conditions voluntarily.

'We have never had lap dancing in Crewe and Nantwich before but we recognise that is becoming more popular and is likely happen here.

'These are simply safeguards that will for example stop premises using performers who are aged under 18.

'If we did not have that condition, the club could come back to us and say they were never told.'

The borough council's principal solicitor Chris Henshaw added: 'The conditions were drawn up by a national working group.

'The activity is becoming more and more popular up and down the country and this is really about updating the way we work to cope with that.'