A WORCESTER nightclub owner claims that a new rule requiring him to train CCTV cameras on lap dancers at his venue is an invasion of privacy.

But Steve Bradford, who runs Images, has been warned that if he does not comply with the national regulations, adopted by Worcester City Council, he could lose his entertainment licence.

"We have been open more than four years without any problems. I am out to protect my entertainment licence because I happen to be a professional," he said.

"I have had cameras at my premises, on every fire exit, for 15 years - before even the police had heard of CCTV.

"But you cannot turn cameras on your staff - that is an invasion of privacy."

Mr Bradford, aged 54, who has run the club in The Butts for 16 years and started the lap dancing nights on Fridays and Saturdays about four years ago, said the dancers themselves were not happy about the idea of being under constant surveillance.

"The girls are going mad about this. They like working here because they feel safe - they don't want cameras on them."

He said he would only feel happy about installing the additional CCTV cameras on two conditions.

"If I have to put the cameras up I would want them to be black and white, and if anyone wanted the tapes they would have to get a court order."

Julian Pugh, senior licensing and enforcement officer, for Worcester City Council said the condition requiring cameras to be fixed on the dancers was to protect both them and the client.

"The council has adopted some new national guidelines relating to all entertainment venues.

"As part of that, standards have been laid down with regard to table dancing.

"One of these is that clubs should install cameras to cover the area where the dancing takes place.

"These standards are designed to protect both the public and the performers," he said.

But he added that he understood the point Mr Bradford was making about privacy and said the council would be investigating the matter further.