CONTROVERSIAL plans to grant retrospective permission for a strip club in Birkenhead will be recommended for approval when councillors meet tonight.

Campaigners have called for the proposal relating to 'Peachez' in Conway Street to be scrapped.

Labour campaigner Paul Jobson is leading the drive to stop the adult-only venue from being granted a change-of-use licence.

He branded the strip bar "a blemish on the high street" and a "safety concern for local parents and young people."

Mr Jobson said last week: "Frankly, I'm disappointed this application has got this far unopposed.

"Mothers, grandparents and carers have told me they worry for the safety of young people if this venue is granted a licence "I fully support their call to refuse this application.

"With exciting plans for the regeneration of Birkenhead in the pipeline this proposed strip club is an unwanted and unacceptable blemish on our high street."

He added: "What kind of a message about our town does it send to investors, visitors and local residents?"

Labour leader of the council Phil Davies said: "We campaigned against this so-called club earlier in the year.

"But the planning application hearing is our chance to do what local residents, businesses and shoppers in Birkenhead want which is to shut this sordid business down.

"I will be taking advantage of my right as a ward councillor to put forward our opposition to this proposal and l hope the views of local people are heard."

Mum Maureen More who lives near the venue said: "Peachez and its customers aren't welcome in Birkenhead.

"As a mother of young girls how do I explain to them that a club where women get paid to take their clothes off is something that's okay in their home town?

"I'm glad Paul Jobson has taken action on behalf of the residents of Birkenhead and Tranmere - it's good to have someone standing up for ordinary local families."

A report to be studied by planning councillors says: "The previous use of the property was as a bar/nightclub and is located within a row of properties used for late-night town centre uses which face directly onto Conway Street and Birkenhead town centre.

"The premises are currently operating retrospectively as the use applied for.

"The previous use of the premises was as a bar and the change of use of one of these premises from one late-night town centre use to another is therefore not considered to be detrimental to the character of this particular part of Birkenhead town centre."

The club's owner has declined the Globe's invitation to make a statement.

The application will be considered when planning committee meets at Wallasey Town Hall tonight at 6pm.