TOPLESS dancing nights are set to continue in Basingstoke on a weekly basis after the first-ever event in the town was rated a success by the venue's management.

Drake's Bar in London Street held the first event of its kind in the town on Wednesday night after the council allowed changes to the venue's licence earlier this month.

Officers from the borough council were among visitors to the night, which passed off without any problems. About 100 people attended, and Drake's management team says it is happy with the way the opening night was conducted.

Environmental health officers from Basingstoke council paid a visit to the premises during the night to ensure that licence rules were being complied with. The bar is only allowed to host topless dancing, not naked dancing or pole dancing.

Deborah Reid, who is a member of Drake's management team, said: "It went well. Towards 9.30pm it got quite busy and we had quite a lot of men in here. We didn't have any trouble whatsoever, and the doormen did not have to throw anybody out.

"The environmental health people were concerned about how close some women were getting to the men, and we told door staff to make sure people kept a good distance - to ensure there is no touching whatsoever."

She added: "We would have liked more people to have attended, and thought it would have been busier. A lot of people said they were going to come down next week because they thought this week would be so busy. It is definitely more than we would have got on a normal Wednesday - there would have normally been about five people in."

Miss Reid also admitted there were some small problems. She said: "I think we will not have as many girls next week, and the tables need to be set out better, but these are general things and we can change them for next time."

On the night, the management enforced a membership-only policy and entry was restricted to over-21s. A smart dress code was also in operation.

Linda Cannon, principal licensing officer at Basingstoke council, was one of two officers to visit Drake's. In a statement issued yesterday, she said: "Officers attended the event and worked together with the door staff and the performers to ensure licence conditions were complied with at all times.

"Further visits will be made to future events to ensure the continued safety of the performers and the public."

Topless dancing nights are set to run every Wednesday, and Drake's is also to apply for an extension to increase its current opening hours to 1am on these nights.

There are also plans for ladies' nights at the club, to be held on Sundays.

Three male "Dreamboys" dancers and drag act Tiffany Wells have been booked to appear on Sunday, March 14, and a male dance night will be held once a month after this.