Naked lap dancers could soon appear at strip clubs in Brighton and Hove for the first time.

Until now, erotic dance venues have been bound by strict licensing regulations that dictate dancers must wear a G-string.

But strip clubs in Brighton and Hove are aiming to be the first in the South-East outside London to host nude entertainment under new licensing laws.

The move has outraged political leaders, who are concerned the city could end up with a seedy reputation.

The Top Totty Club in Grand Parade, Brighton, and The Pussycat Club in Church Road, Hove, are applying to vary the conditions of their entertainment licences.

As well as full nudity, the venues want to extend their opening hours to 2am during the week and 4am at weekends.

Ken McGrath, who owns both clubs, is also applying to increase the age limit from 18 to 21. Today he was abroad and unavailable for comment.

Even in London's Soho, famed for its strip clubs, lap and pole dancers must wear G-strings.

Only Camden Borough Council allows naked dancing but strict codes of conduct must be followed.

Contact between dancers and punters at the Top Totty and Pussycat clubs is strictly forbidden. Girls must stay at arm's length from customers during lap dances.

Brighton's Honey Club, in King's Road Arches, has applied for permission to hold lap dancing but a spokesman said dancers would not be nude.

He added: "We put in the application to cover all eventualities. It may be that we never have lap dancing. If we do, dancers will certainly wear G-strings."

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "I do not wish to see the city degenerate into a place synonymous with booze, boobs and bare bodies.

"This could only set a precedent for more places like this and it would be a step in the wrong direction.

"I would be very concerned if this condition was relaxed."

Conservative leader Garry Peltzer Dunn said: "People are free to visit these places even though I personally disapprove.

"I think this is most distasteful, would set a precedent and is a step too far."

Green convenor Keith Taylor said: "This is yet further evidence of how establishments like this are objectifying women as sex objects and it is clearly wrong.

"This application and these places have no redeeming features and if we could close them down on the grounds of bad taste I would be the first person to support such action."

The application will not be considered on moral grounds.

A council spokesman said: "The committee will assess the proposals with the objective of preventing public nuisance, crime and disorder, harm to children and public safety."

The new licence would come into force on November 24.