LAP-dancing clubs could be banned from opening near churches, schools or tourist areas enjoyed by families.

The no-go zones are set to be created under a review of Bournemouth's licensing policies.

Earlier this year, seafront nightclub Jumpin Jaks applied to remove licensing clauses which banned "striptease or indecent performances".

It has since withdrawn the application, which it said was aimed at allowing special stag and hen party entertainment.

A 24-hour licensing application by the Stag and Hen Company for the former Cliff Court Hotel in West Cliff Road was rejected in April.

Cllr Stephen Chappell, chairman of Bournemouth Borough Council's licensing board, said the Jumpin Jaks location - in the Waterfront building - would not be suitable.

He said: "Where we've got a public concourse with family holiday makers, with children as well, it's not the right place to have that sort of adult entertainment.

"The Pier Approach would not be considered an appropriate area and neither would premises in the vicinity of schools, churches and other sensitive venues like that."

Some of the town centre's existing lap-dancing venues are near its Roman Catholic church and its mosque.

The new suggestion is part of a review of the town's licensing policies, which the borough's Conservative leadership hopes will "beef up" restrictions on the night-time economy.

Cllr John Trickett, who has previously campaigned against licences for sex shops and adult entertainment premises, said: "I feel that Bournemouth should concentrate its marketing on family-orientated pursuits.

"Anything that detracts from that is a retrograde step so I would fully support Cllr Chappell. Such a move can only improve Bournemouth."

Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said churches should not be given special protection from the policy.

"If these places are going to go somewhere, somebody's going to be inconvenienced and offended by them and there's no reason why the church should get special protection from them," he said.