BRITISH blockbusting film The Full Monty has a lot to answer for.

Just six years ago Obsession - dubbed as the British answer to The Chippendales - were banned from performing their raunchy stage act at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre.

The meaty musclemen were told their sexy show was "inappropriate" for a family venue.

Yet in 1998, East Lancashire venues ranging from nightclubs and Conservative clubs to community associations are falling over themselves to book strippers of all shapes and sizes.

Gone are the days when sexy shows were confined to back rooms in seedy pubs. The revolution has been put down in part to the story featured in hit film.

But there has been a mixed reaction to the change in attitude. A row erupted in Blackburn last month when clergymen branded organisers of a strip show at Utopia Discotheque "no better than pimps".

The controversy surrounded an evening at the club where both female and male strippers perform raunchy acts in separate rooms during a night dubbed The Real Monty. The doors were later opened to let the revellers mix.

The Rev Kevin Logan, of Christ Church, Accrington, said: "The Full Monty story constitutes quite a strange turnaround in values. "Unemployed men taking off their clothes in public to rebuild their self esteem is seen as a laudable thing to do. Not long ago it would have been a criminal offence. "What concerns me is the effect all this is having on children. Double standards are being operated by parents. How can they expect their children to behave when they are going to virtual orgies like these?"

Hollins Grove Conservative Club, Darwen, agreed to a requests from members to book "ladies entertainers".

Club treasurer Ray Winstanley said: "Quite a few Conservative clubs in the area have tried it and it has become an acceptable form of entertainment. It's part of our attempt to get away from the old image and show we don't just have artists like organists and drummers."

The Lover Boys from Swansea, who shot to fame after appearing the the BBC 1 documentary Inside Story, will put on a show this month.

Founder member Jeff Davies hit back at critics, saying: "Strippers are more acceptable these days. Our show is not about downing pints and sticking body parts in drinks and we perform at a lot of classy venues.

"We do take all our clothes off but the act is professional. Sleazy shows don't usually get a second booking."

Slick dance routines and bulging biceps are no longer a must when it comes to male strippers - anybody can have ago - as Rishton based The Job Lot have shown.

They are now enjoying success on the pub and club circuit after stripping off for a charity stunt at their local, The Walmsley Arms, in May this year. Robert Smalley came up with the idea to copy the film and persuaded Bob Currie, Alan Dunston and Derek Nellany to join him.

The act has taken off and bookings are pouring in. Their latest strip took place in F J Nichols, Blackburn, a few weeks ago.

"We only intended to do the one show but things escalated," explained Alan.

"We've done shows all over East Lancashire and have three or four lined up a bit further afield. None of us are planning to give up our day jobs or go on tour but we are pleased with the reaction we've had.

"The Full Monty really was the turning point for our sort of show. People's attitudes have changed. It's now seen as a bit of fun."

In Cliviger, near Burnley, the village's Recreation and Community Association thought a night featuring two male strippers would be the perfect way to raise cash.

Jacqui Hodgson, group chairman, said: "We got quite a mixed reaction when we decided to hold the night.

"Some women told us they couldn't go because their husbands wouldn't like it. The night itself was brilliant. That was because it was all girls together."

Men are not the only ones cashing in on the fascination with flesh. The Commercial pub at Haslingden is pulling in the crowds with their topless barmaid nights and Willy's Bar in Blackburn put on regular pole dancing shows.

But not everybody is ripping their clothes off at slightest blast from the Full Monty theme tune.

Shy girls proved the rule when Rossendale Players wanted an actress willing to strip for the parliamentary farce "Pardon Me, Prime Minister.'

Nobody would do it.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.