SPEARMINT Rhino, the largest table-dancing club chain in the world, will open its first Scottish venue by Christmas.

The firm's UK bosses have confirmed to The Herald they have acquired an existing lapdancing club in Glasgow, the Truffle Club, and will rebrand it within the next two months.

Although members of the Scottish Executive's working group on adult entertainment say they have no problem with the club, MSPs and women's groups have already expressed their fury.

Glasgow City Council, which has as a policy of blanket opposition to lap-dancing clubs, is almost certain to try to block the move.

The decision to move to Glasgow is part of Spearmint Rhino's expansion programme throughout Britain and follows years of rumours of a move north of the border.

It had previously said it had wanted to open five "sex multiplexes" in Scotland, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Three years ago it pulled out of a deal with another Glasgow club, Seventh Heaven, because it was unhappy with the location at the western edge of the city centre.

Simon Warr, president of Spearmint Rhino's European division, said that although he was aware the move would upset many within Glasgow City Chambers their objections were on moral grounds and not legal grounds.

He said: "It's an excellent, vibrant city and, for me, Scotland's first city. We know there will be opposition but these moral attitudes have nothing to do with the law."

Spearmint Rhino has had a chequered history since arriving in Britain from the US late in 2000.

The company would like to be known as a "gentlemen's club" with fans such as Robbie Williams, Bryan Adams, Kelly Brook, Sir Richard Branson and Sir Clive Sinclair or tabloid tales involving a visit from Prince Harry and his Sandhurst pals.

But it has been continually dogged by negative headlines On one occasion in 2003 it was rapped by a court in London for indecency following a six-month investigation by Scotland Yard vice squad detectives.

Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court found the acts complained of at the London venue were indecent but gave it a warning.

Last night Jan McLeod, of the Scottish Coalition Against Sexual Exploitation, said Spearmint Rhino had tried to "put a gloss" on its activities.

She said: "Spearmint Rhino may say it has far better conditions than other clubs but it doesn't take away from the basic sexually exploitative nature of what it's about.

It puts a gloss on what it allows but anecdotally some of its dancers tell a different story."

Glasgow MSP Sandra White added: "I'm appalled that a company with such a dubious past can set up in Glasgow."

Glasgow City Council was not commenting on the acquisition last night.