Councillors in Brighton are to promote a Private Bill through Parliament to press for stricter controls to regulate strip clubs in the area.

Brighton and Hove City Council's licensing committee voted in favour of the move at a meeting on Thursday.

Councillors are concerned about the rise in applications for strip and pole dancing venues and its limited powers to control numbers.

The committee wants to see tougher regulations, which are currently only applicable in London, to be extended to Brighton and Hove.

Tim Nichols, head of environmental health and licensing, said: ""Brighton & Hove has a reputation for creative and innovative entertainment and freedom, but as the law currently stands locally elected councillors have no powers to control the proliferation of strip clubs and the consequential effect they have on the character of neighbourhoods.

"A Private Bill could give councillors greater local powers to determine applications and the matter will now go before the policy and resources committee and full council for further consideration."