BOLTON should follow Edinburgh's lead and turn a blind-eye to well-run brothels, according to an MP.

Dr Brian Iddon believes a step towards legalising brothels is the best way to prevent youngsters from offering sex for sale on Bolton's streets.

The Bolton South-east MP wants the town's leaders to meet in a bid to work out ways of curbing prostitution.

And he believes the agenda should include the discussion of set areas where vice girls can ply their trade without disruption.

Dr Iddon, who once sparked a drugs row by campaigning for the legalisation of cannabis, said: "Other local authorities are setting them up so I believe legalised brothels should be a consideration in Bolton.

"We can never hope to eradicate prostitution because it's the oldest game in the book.

"Certainly if there was legalisation it would harder for 13-year-olds to be sucked into a life of vice because there would be effective controls."

Dr Iddon's comments have not been backed by his Labour party colleague, Bolton North-east MP David Crausby, who believes control is the answer.

Mr Crausby said prostitutes in Bolton had already been pushed into an area deemed relatively acceptable and away from residents of the town.

And he added: "Dr Iddon and myself are from the same party but I do not agree with his stance on drugs or brothels.

"The police play a sensible game on this issue and I don't know about naming or shaming clients in newspapers, but anybody caught with an under-age girl should be imprisoned.

"I am sure legalisation would lead to an increase in prostitution. And once it has become legal, there is no going back."

Mr Crausby was talking in the wake of the shocking news -- revealed in the BEN last night -- that a 13-year-old girl was enticed into prostitution by a rent boy just a year older than her.

The child -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- was plunged into a life of vice four months ago. Her tearful 31-year-old mother has urged Bolton police and the town's Social Services to protect similar innocent children from prostitution.

Dr Iddon called the situation "sad" and, adding weight to his legalisation argument, added: "There are prostitutes on Shiffnall Street and around The Haugh from as early as 3pm.

"When there was a clampdown in Shiffnall Street, the prostitutes moved to The Haulgh and families were up-in-arms that wives and children were being approached.

"The last thing we want now is to move them into other residential areas."

Cities, such as Edinburgh, have set aside areas for vice girls in industrial estates where police turn a blind eye.

Patrols are made to ensure the areas remain untainted by drugs and pro-legalisation campaigners claim properly run brothels would be safer both for the women and for punters.

Bolton, meanwhile, saw a £95,000 bid to fund anti-prostitution measures rejected after a joint bid by Dr Iddon and Mr Crausby.

The pair have met with Home Office minister Charles Clarke to press for the cash, the bid for which was made to fund more detailed research into the most effective ways of cutting prostitution in Bolton's red light district.

Dr Iddon said: "Some businessmen around Shiffnall Street are becoming increasingly irate at the number of prostitutes.

"One complained to me that he had to routinely clear away condoms and syringes before he could open up his premises. The whole thing is very sad.

"There is a van which patrols the area to provide health care and food but there's a need to go one step further."

Illegal brothels have long been a part of Bolton's illicit sex scene. In September last year, a BEN investigation revealed a home on Bolton Road, Hunger Hill, was selling sex behind the respectable well-to-do facade of a bungalow.

Up to three girls at a time were working from the address, labelled as the health club Utopia in classified newspaper adverts.

A reporter, posing as a customer, was offered sex during a £40, half hour massage. Dr Brian Iddon - call to legalise brothels 'Once it is legalised there is no going back' says David Crausby Would legalised brothels see the end of scenes like the one above and right, which are an all too familiar sight in Bolton's red light district? Tearful