THE world's biggest lap dancing chain is to launch its first Scottish club in Glasgow next month.

THE world's biggest lap dancing chain is to launch its first Scottish club in Glasgow next month.

Spearmint Rhino will open its doors in March, three years after the chain bought over an existing lap dancing club in the city, the Truffle Club.

It follows earlier unsuccessful moves by the US chain to open in Glasgow after opposition from Glasgow City Council.

The venue has continued to operate as the Truffle Club for the past two years, but is in the final stages of a rebrand and refurbishment.

The chain advertises itself as a "gentlemen's club" and claim to offers dancers better working conditions than other clubs.

Sandra White MSP has slammed the move and said: "I'm very disappointed that Spearmint Rhino has been allowed to open in Glasgow.

"This is detrimental to women and we don't need this sort of entertainment."

Spearmint Rhino attracted controversy in 2003 after it was rapped by a court in London for indecency following a six-month investigation by Scotland Yard vice squad detectives.

In 2002 Glasgow City council told the chain to stay out of Glasgow after it revealed plans for two clubs in the city.

However the firm did not have to apply for a new licence for the new club because it was simply transferring the existing licence.

A spokesman for Spearmint Rhino said: "We are a well known brand and we have built up a good track record of working with local authorities and complying with restrictions and requirements.

"We are still in the process of rebranding the club but hope to be open by mid March."

The chain pulled out of a deal with another Glasgow club Seventh Heaven because it was unhappy with the location outwith the city centre.

The firm, which has seven clubs south of the border, had previously said it wanted to open five "sex multiplexes" in Scotland, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Plans for a lap dancing club can only be rejected if the licensing board believes the applicant is not a fit and proper person, or if objections are raised about the site and suitability of the premises.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: "This is not a new club, but one already operating and the current licence covers this kind of entertainment."