A MUM-OF-THREE who set up a pole dancing fitness gym after 10 years on benefits says her livelihood is being threatened because the council has asked her to remove frosted glass which gives her customers privacy.

Charlene Elliott, 27, set up Vanity Pole in Newport, in January this year.

After three children and a decade out of work, Mrs Elliott decided to take things into her own hands to find a job and get fit by starting her own business.

The Clarence Place gym has been a huge success, with classes fully booked every week by other women wanting to get into shape.

To protect the ladies' privacy, Mrs Elliott put frosted covers on the glass-fronted fitness centre.

But she was later told by Newport city council she needed planning permission to keep them in place.

When Mrs Elliott submitted her application last month, it was refused on the grounds that the window detracted from the street's appearance, and could cause confusion about what the building is being used for.

Ward councillor for Victoria Mike Hamilton also said "a little restraint" was needed for any signage in Clarence Place, because as a protected building it was an important landmark.

But Mrs Elliott says the gym will fail if she is forced to remove the frosted glass sections because her customers will no longer feel comfortable if people can see through the windows.

She has started a petition on the gym’s website to help appeal the decision, and has already gathered more than 140 signatures.

Mrs Elliott's husband Gareth said the council was confusing his wife's business with a lap dancing club, and said it was sad it was not willing to support a young woman working on a legitimate business.

Mrs Elliot added: “I really feel like I am doing something good in Newport for a lot of women. My dancers include police ladies, social workers, and they all think this is not right.”

A statement from Newport city council said anyone refused planning permission has the right to appeal to the planning inspectorate if they wished to do so.

To support Mrs Elliott’s appeal, visit www.vanitypole.com