A NIGHTCLUB boss is "confident" of gaining permission for a floating disco - despite concerns over its safety and hygiene.

Absolute Leisure Ltd, the firm behind the River Tyne's disco ships, hopes to open the Tuxedo Royale, now at Middlesbrough's Middlehaven Dock, by mid-October.

It has applied to Middlesbrough Borough Council for a public entertainment license, which, if granted, will allow up to 2,300 revellers to board the ship between 11am and 2am Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 10.30pm Sundays.

A report to the licensing committee, which deferred its decision following a site visit, outlines serious safety and hygiene concerns that make the vessel "unfit for public use".

PC Revis Phillips, district licensing officer, said: "The pontoon does not allow any means of access for assistance to remove from the water injured or non-swimmers who will most probably be under the influence of alcohol.

"I was made aware that a small boat had been purchas-ed to assist with the rescue of persons in the water. I saw no signs of this during my visit."

The report highlighted further problems with the nightclub's food and serving area.

It said: "The main gallery, bars and the food serving area were not in a fit state and are required to be cleaned and repaired."

Anthony Knox, Absolute Leisure's operations director, said he was confident that all of the problems have been solved.

"We were already aware of the issues raised in the report and were working on them," he said.

"We are confident we should not have any problem in passing the next inspection."

A spokesman for Middlesbrough council said: "There will be a presentation by the company at the meeting and, hopefully, it will update the committee on everything that has been done since the site visit.