A DECISION by pub bosses to ban female-fronted acts from performing has been branded embarrassing and outrageous by the town’s MP.

Doctor Brown’s has faced strong criticism after The Northern Echo reported on its controversial policy.

Female singers have been barred from taking to the stage at the venue because regulars believe “girls can’t sing rock”, according to manager Paula Rees.

Ms Rees stood by the ban, though she admitted the rule would be bent in 2018 to allow for one gig and could also be relaxed if a band guaranteed a large crowd.

Her comments attracted widespread outrage and prompted Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald to say: “It’s outrageous and, frankly, embarrassing to learn that the manager of Dr Brown’s has found it necessary to ban groups fronted by female singers from performing there. This is 2017 for goodness sake and there can be no justification for anyone to do this sort of thing. Since when have rock songs been male only? We should be encouraging musical talent not dumbing it down.

“You never know, the next Debbie Harry or Chrissie Hynde could be about to burst on the Middlesbrough music scene.

“No-one would argue they - or other bands fronted by women - can’t sing rock music so let’s get this nipped in the bud right now and move on.”

The pub’s policy was supported by some, including one ex-regular who contacted The Northern Echo to say that people visited the venue to see rock cover bands.

He said: “I totally agree, there is no way a female vocalist could sing heavy rock songs that would please an audience who were brought up watching and listening to the original vocalists mainly in the 70s.

“The clientele in Doctor Brown’s are most definitely not sexist, believe me, it’s just their love of the musical era they were brought up in.”