A SAUCY restaurant chain famed for its scantily-clad waitresses could be on its way to Southend.

American brand Hooters, whose all-female serving staff wear orange hotpants and low-cut tops, has submitted a licensing application for a town centre restaurant.

The restaurant would be built in the old MVC store at 42-44 London Road, opposite Sainsbury's.

The area has become a mecca for restaurants, including Bella Pasta, Nando's and La Tasca tapas bar in the old Yates's Wine Lodge.

Wings over England Restaurants wants to be able to serve alcohol and late-night refreshments at the Hooters restaurant from 10am until midnight every day.

Southend Council's licensing enforcement officer, Adam Penn said: "We received an application on February 15 "The deadline for representations to be submitted to the council, is March 14.

"If no representations in respect to this application are received, the licence will be deemed as granted on March 15.

"However, if there are any representations, the council must convene a hearing before the licensing sub-committee."

Though common in most US cities, there is only one other Hooters restaurant in the UK, in Nottingham.

But the planned one in Southend is one of six new branches, serving traditional American food like fried chicken and hamburgers, Wings over England hopes to open across the country this year.

John Clayton, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: "I haven't heard anything about the proposition, but I think we'll take a broad-minded view of it.

"The market will determine whether or not it's successful and it's up to the local authorities to make sure it's decent and has all the proper controls.

"Good luck to them."