A BID by a former rugby club boss to open Durham City's first table dancing club has attracted 44 objections - including one from the police.

Vimac leisure, whose chief executive Paul Mackings used to be chief executive of the Newcastle Falcons, is seeking a licence for The Loft, one of two venues it operates in North Road.

The South Tyneside-based company says in its application to Durham City Council's licensing department that it will be a "high class table dancing club'', which will include pole dancing and lap dancing for the over-18s.

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The deadline for comments and objections passed on Thursday and the application will be heard by the council's licensing committee on Wednesday, August 8.

"We have received 43 objections to the application from Vimac Leisure, and there has been one from Durham Police,'' said a council spokesman.

"These will all be taken into consideration when the committee considers the licence application.'' The premises would be open from 11am until the early hours and Sergeant Tim Robson, licensing officer for North Durham, said there was concern that hen and stag parties could visit the club during the day.

He added that there was concern about the numbers of people dispersing at closing in North Road, which is a main thoroughfare and home to other bars, the city's bus station and taxi ranks.

The City of Durham Trust and the city's Labour MP Roberta Blackman-Woods are among the objectors.

The Loft premises were previously the DH1 club - the firm owns the nearby Studio club - and some residents believe the plan could be a bid to win back trade lost to nightspots in the Walkergate complex.

Vimac Leisure has been approached for comment but has so far not responded.