CONCERNS have been raised about plans to open a male health studio in Radcliffe town centre.

Some residents and business owners believe it will be a "massage parlour" and 12 letters of objection have been sent to Bury Council planners.

An application has been submitted for permission to convert Goodies Costume Hire, in Water Street, into a male health studio, providing massage services from 9am to 11pm daily.

A group of residents attended Wednesday's meeting of Radcliffe Local Area Partnership (LAP) to voice their concerns.

They said they were worried about the type of people who would visit the massage parlour.

One resident said: "My main concern is that the unwanted characters we don't want in Radcliffe will be brought here."

They also spoke about fears that the windows of the shop would be blacked out, and that visitors would enter the building through doors at the side and rear of the property, rather than the front.

Councillor Stuart Penketh said: "I am concerned that it will not do the reputation of Radcliffe any good to have something like this on the main road."

Residents at the meeting, held at Radcliffe Civic Suite, were urged to send letters outlining their fears to the planning department and their ward councillors.

The planning department will decide this week whether the proposal will be recommended for approval or refusal.