BLACKBURN'S only lap dancing club has closed -- just five months after winning a legal battle allowing dancers to go fully nude.

And now the company behind Velvet Lounge, Hopecraft Design, faces being struck off by Companies House for failing to file accounts required under law.

Bosses at the Duke Street club in Blackburn, did not renew their entertainment licence when it ran out, according to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

And the door of the club has an eviction notice on it which was issued at Blackburn County Court on February 17.

Bailiffs acting for those evicting the company, say they are due to repossess the building on Friday.

Yesterday, the door of the building had been forced open and weeks of unopened mail was scatttered across the floor.

A spokesman for Companies House said: "We have sent two letters to Hopecraft so far, but have not heard back from them.

"We will probably seek to strike them off.

"Seizing their assets is one option open to us."

The sole director of Velvet Lounge is Georgia Elliott, of Avondale Drive, Darwen. She owns the 1,000 shares issued for the company, according to Companies House files.

The company secretary is Janina Moon, of Hargreaves Road, Oswaldtwistle. Her son is Scott Moon, who ran Cubes nightclub, which closed to make way for Velvet Lounge.

The club opened in July 2003, despite opposition from the clergy at Blackburn Cathedral and some councillors, who felt the venue would demean women and the town's image.

In September 2004, the club won the right to let dancers go nude.

Velvet Lounge bosses argued allowing the dancers to completely strip did not increase safety risks.

But today Sayyed Osman, council director of regeneration, said: "The licence for the Velvet Lounge expired on January 28.

The licensing section has not received any inquiries to renew the licence."

Police also said the club had closed down.