A PETITION to try and block a saucy restaurant chain from moving into Southend has been set up.

Sophia Deboick, 26, of Broadway West, Leigh, started the protest after the American brand Hooters applied for permission to open in London Road.

Ms Deboick said the restaurant, which is famed for its all-female staff, wearing orange hotpants and low cut tops, exploits women and should not be allowed in the town.

The PHD student said: "I think it will promote a derogatory view of women and there is enough of that about at the moment.

"They are presenting themselves as a normal restaurant, but I think a lot of people don't know what is going on in there.

"The uniforms the girls are made to wear are extremely brief, and they have bikini competitions where waitresses parade around in string bikinis. It is really quite similar to a strip club. It is exploitative."

More than 30 people have signed the petition against the restaurant, which could be built in the old MVC store at 42-44 London Road, opposite Sainsbury's.

Ms Deboick has made a formal complaint to the council, but was told it would not count because she does not live close enough to the site.

Southend Council's team manager for safety and licensing, David Krieger, said: "Representations have been received, so the matter will go to a meeting of the licensing sub-committee.

"This meeting will be held within approximately a month of the end of the consultation period.

"Members will then hear the evidence and make their decision accordingly."

The authority refused to tell the Echo how many objections it had received.

US firm Wings Over England has applied for permission to serve alcohol and late-night refreshments at the restaurant, from 10am until midnight every day.

The only other Hooters in England is in Nottingham. Councillor David Trimble, from Nottingham City Council, said: "It has been open here for a long time.

"I am sure there were objections, but we were quite lucky because it is a long way from any residential areas."

Comments can be lodged with Southend Council until Friday, March 14, via the council's website at www.southend.gov.uk To sign the petition go to www.

ipetitions.com/petition/notohoot erssouthend