Row over plaque for first 'striptease artiste'

Plans to honour one of London's first exotic dancers has run into opposition from her family and residents at her former home.

English Heritage was set to commemorate Phyllis Dixey, credited with bringing striptease to the West End during the Second World War, with a plaque outside her former home in Surbiton.

The plaque would read: "Phyllis Dixey 1914 to 1964, Striptease Artiste, lived here in flat number 15." But tenants of Wentworth Court have objected to it amid concerns that it would damage the area's reputation. The residents' association asked for her to be described as a "burlesque dancer" but English Heritage refused on the grounds that burlesque is an American tradition.

Ms Dixey's family is also against the wording and is campaigning for her to be recognised as a "fan dancer".

Ms Dixey became the first dancer to perform a striptease at Soho's Whitehall Theatre in the Forties, performing for troops six days a week.