Lapdancing takes off among students struggling with fees

Female students and graduates are increasingly turning to lapdancing to fund their studies, according to a London nightclub chain.

About 18 per cent of performers at London's six Secrets venues are in higher education, and about 10 to 15 a month apply for the jobs.

For the year 2009-2010, there was a three per cent increase in the number of applications from students and graduates, and in 2010-2011 six per cent more auditioned.

The numbers look set to rise as students struggle to pay higher tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year from next year, while latest government figures show graduate unemployment is at a 10-year high.

Mia, a barristers' clerk in Holborn, started dancing at Secrets in Covent Garden six months ago. She said: "I'm saving up either to go travelling or to put the money towards getting a law qualification and becoming a barrister. I did pole dancing anyway for exercise."

Dancers pay £20 a night to perform and then up to £100 in commission, depending on how much they earn, which can be up to £1,000 in an evening.

Mia said: "If I dance three nights a week I can earn £500. I work for about 40 different barristers and I earn about £24,000.

"There are a couple of foreign girls who are qualified lawyers in their own country and working in Secrets while they improve their English. In the end it's just a naked body. I'm quite proud of having the courage. I feel I'm proving a point that not everybody who does this is thick."

Stephen Less, owner of the chain, said: "Many of our dancers spend more time talking to clients than dancing for them. Dancers who are educated often have more to offer in that respect. It can make them very popular. People often don't expect them to be knowledgeable and interesting as well as attractive."

He claimed last year that after taking a debate about lapdancing at Trinity College Dublin, four students approached him for jobs.

Lapdancing clubs have to reapply annually for a licence and councils can close venues near churches or schools.