POLICE say they are legally powerless to shut down a controversial 'massage parlour' in Chorley.

The admission comes after a Citizen investigation revealed how the business in a town centre flat advertises ladies 18-50 years old, offering a 'warm welcome with a no-rush service'.

The Clifford Street parlour, which has been open for two years, operates with just one girl per day selling personal services.

But the place is not a brothel which is legally defined as using "more than one girl selling sex", hence the police cannot close it down.

Moreover because the girl only charges clients for a massage and the use of facilities, she is not breaking the law.

The news that the establishment is operating so close to the new £2.5 million-plus transport interchange has brought condemnation from the town's civic leader.

Jack Wilson, leader of Chorley Borough Council, said: "I'm very concerned and disappointed that sort of service is apparently available.

"It is in an area of town where a lot of public money is being expended to make it nice, bright and clean and I'm very very disturbed that sort of activity is allegedly taking place.

"I'm hoping the authorities will be able to do something about it."

Police say they had visited the premises in the past and will continue to monitor them to make sure they are operating within the law.

Nearby business people have also expressed their shock that such an establishment functions so close to their shops. A neighbouring trader said: "It's certainly not what you want near your business."

And another shopkeeper said: "You hear all sorts of things, rumours and stuff in my shop that it is happening but you don't know whether to believe it."

Customers who use the parlour, trading as 'Chorley Classy Ladies', are ushered into a front room and offered a cup of tea or coffee by a receptionist before being introduced to masseur.

A massage can cost upwards of £50 and other services are on offer.

Pete White, chief inspector of Lancashire Police's southern division, admitted that there was very little police could do about such a business.

He said: "For it to be a brothel, there has got to be more than one person working at any one time.

"We can understand why people in the community think that this is not right.

"You have to balance up any sort of threat to minors, any disorder issues, and if there are no threats, it becomes extremely difficult from a law point of view to do anything about it."

He added: "We will continue to monitor it. We have to protect the public and uphold the law."