Locals fume at lapdance van

A lapdancing club has come under fire after a van advertising the venue was parked in a residential street - complete with huge pictures of scantily-clad girls.

The van, advertising the Bandit Queen nightclub in Dudley, has been left parked in Elsma Road, Oldbury, its body work decorated with images of semi-naked girls.

It is parked opposite homes and close to St Hubert's RC Primary School.

Furious families have gathered a 60-name petition demanding the van be removed, although it is not breaking any laws.

They say hundreds of children walk past the van every day, and families are forced to look at it through their windows.

Resident, Mike Chadwick said: "It has been painted with rather disgraceful images of scantily clad ladies.

"It is offensive to many, many people. It is within three to 400 yards of a primary school.

"If you want to see this thing normally you have to pay for it or look on the top shelf. We have never had anything like this before."

The van has been parked in the street every day for months.

But police say the owner is not committing an offence.

Dozens of people living nearby have signed the petition, which has been submitted to Sandwell Council, in a bid to get it moved.

Sandra Chadwick, who lives in the street, said: "It is offensive. We don't want things like that parked near our homes."

Oldbury Town Committee chairman Councillor Malcolm Bridges said: "I pass that vehicle every day when I go to work. I think it is offensive.

"To put that kind of thing on a van that's near to people's houses is wrong," she added.

A spokesman for the Bandit Queen nightclub, who would not give his name, said the vehicle was taxed, insured and had an MoT certificate and was therefore not breaking any laws.

He said: "The images are not offensive. All of the pictures are above board. They are all dressed and there's no nudity.

"It is not breaking any laws. It's here to stay."

By Chris Howes

What do you think about this story? Send us your view here

Your views: "Oh please, is this all that people have to worry about? A picture of a fully dressed woman is offensive? Are people really offended by a picture of her naked knees? They need to either grow up or get a life - it's not remotely pornographic and if anything is probably brightening the area up." David