A CONTROVERSIAL lapdancing club which employed a 16-year-old erotic dancer has been shut down after losing an appeal against closure.

Claudia's on Central Drive hit the headlines in 2007 after breaking strict over 18s only rules.

CCTV evidence showed the girl – who worked at the club for one night – turned up for work in a basque, boots and g-string, danced until 4am and was served four pints of lager.

Manager Claudia Spotswood vowed to clean up their act and the venue was allowed to remain open.

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But in June it was revealed the club had again failed to keep records of the ages of its dancers and council bosses revoked its licence.

Inspectors also said they witnessed physical contact between dancers and clients during lewd dance sessions and alleged a doorman had been illegally employed.

The club remained open while their appeal went ahead, but magistrates have now ordered it to close.

Blackpool Council leader Coun Peter Callow, who has waged war on lap dancing as part of a clean-up Blackpool campaign, said: "I'm absolutely delighted this lap dancing club has finally been shut down.

"Over the past two years the licence conditions have been consistently breached putting countless people in a potentially dangerous environment.

"The basic requirements weren't adhered to which left a risk of under 18s able to visit the premises or even work there, which is just not acceptable.

"This council will not stand for reckless behaviour like this and it's only right Claudia's loses its licence.

"We want Blackpool to be a family friendly town and poorly run premises have no place here."

Tim Coglan, head of Blackpool Trading Standards, added: "This sends out a very clear message those who don't comply with the law will be dealt with in the severest possible manner, put before the courts and breaches can and will lead to a loss of licence."

At a hearing in June, Sgt Sarah Salisbury, of Blackpool Police's licensing department, said checks carried out in March found no proper ID records were in place for four of eight lap-dancers working. It was later confirmed that all dancers were over 18.

Coun Peter Collins, who chaired a licence review panel, said the club had "blatantly disregarded" the rules and the licence was revoked.

Claudia's management were unavailable to comment.