HORRIFIED residents have staged a protest after a bar's plans to stage strippers moved a step closer.

Residents are fearful their neighbourhood will turn into a seedy red-light district if a pub in the Plaza complex, Trafalgar Road, Greenwich, is allowed to go ahead with its plans.

Greenwich Council's licensing chiefs approved an application for Caffrey's Sports Bar to vary its licence to allow for the provision of dance, including striptease performances and table dancing.

Now applicant Shopsearch UK Limited only needs to secure planning consent to change the use of the bar.

It would be open from 11am to 10.30pm Monday to Saturday.

The Plaza building also contains 50 apartments and shops, including a Ladbrokes betting office.

The new entrance to the bar would be on Rodmere Street, which contains 10 terraced homes.

Residents have now rallied together to petition the council's decision.

Sharon Driscoll, who lives on Vanbrugh Hill, which adjoins Trafalgar Road, said: "When we heard the news we were horrified, absolutely horrified.

"The opening hours are just horrific. We don't want unsavoury characters falling out of this place at all hours of the day.

"The venue is in the heartland of a busy school road. My eldest child is 10 now and just at the age where I'm thinking about letting her walk to school with her friends."

The devout Roman Catholic and mother-of-two has already gathered more than 800 signatures from residents with fellow campaigner Tracey McGregg.

She is planning to present the petition to Councillor Mary Mills who, along with councillors Richard Quibell and Chris Roberts, is also opposed to the plans.

The ward councillors say the bar would attract "undesirable" elements from outside the area.

Greenwich Council has stressed it has still not received a planning application from Shopsearch UK to vary the use of the building.

The council spokesman said: "Residents have been advised they have 21 days to appeal against the decision of the licensing sub committee following its meeting on July 6.

"The council is keeping residents updated and people are receiving advice from the council officers on planning and licensing issues."

Caffrey's Sports Bar is currently licensed as a bar and eatery, serving alcohol until midnight from Monday to Saturday.

Shopsearch UK Limited refused to comment.