AN MP has called upon a council to examine its decision to grant a lap dancing club a licence that was overruled on appeal.

Magistrates upheld an appeal against the granting of a licence permitting lap dancing three nights a week at the Loft nightclub, in Durham City.

The licensing appeal panel backed residents and other opponents of what some termed "a strip club" at the North Road premises.

Panel chairman Glynn Wales said it would "aggravate rather than alleviate" late night disorder in the area.

The panel agreed that Durham City Council, whose licensing committee granted initial approval, should meet the appellants' costs of £2,795.10.

Among opponents of lap dancing at the club was Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods who said it was "totally unsuitable" near the city's World Heritage sites.

The Labour MP described the appeal outcome as "a victory for local people who stood up for what they believed was right".

She criticised the city's Liberal Democrat-led council over its original ruling.

"Durham City Council needs to now accept it had the ability and duty to say 'no' to this club opening and, once again, got it wrong."

She called on the council to "look carefully" at how it came to its decision.

Labour group deputy chairman Peter Mitchell also called for the city council to investigate how it reached its initial decision, given the available evidence.

But Durham City Council said "morality" appeared to be the major concern at the original hearing.

A council statement yesterday said: "Table dancing is not an illegal activity and therefore cannot be refused just because of what it is.

"There was insufficient evidence given at the initial hearing and the professional bodies did not, and still do not, object to this application, and, they are the very people the panel must consider of importance in looking at such applications, as well as taking into account the concerns of the public."

But the statement said the council was, "pleased by the outcome for the community".

Nightclub owner Vimac Leisure has yet to comment on the appeal decision.