A CONTROVERSIAL lap dancing club has opened its doors.

The ribbon to launch the icandy club was cut by East Lancashire personality Margo Grimshaw during a special ceremony in Accrington town centre on Friday night.

The club, in Blackburn Road, had faced a battle to get off the ground after opposition from residents and recruitment agencies, a lack of dancers and a 1,500-signature petition against it.

But bossses said it would provide a boost to the town’s economy, would not be open during the day and that the inside of the club will not be visible to passers-by.

Manager Kate Hartley, 45, said: “It is very a proud day for us, we have faced a tough battle to reach this stage but we haven’t let that deter us and we have kept on going.

“We are open for business now and it is a great feeling.

“The final piece of the jigsaw is to get the VIP bar open.

“We have had a lot of support to get open as well, a lot more than we expected, and the feedback we have received so far has been very positive.”

Hyndburn Council gave the venue the go ahead in April concern from residents who feared it would give Accrington the wrong image.

The decision was made at a planning meeting with chairman Coun Bernard Dawson casting the deciding vote after a tie.