Girls as young as seven are being given pole dancing lessons, and pictures have been posted on the social networking website Facebook.
The controversial lessons are being offered to primary-aged schoolgirls at the JLN Pole Fitness studio in Bolton.
The instructor claims there is “nothing sexual about the classes”, insisting that they improve the girls’ fitness.
Unsafe
But concerns have been raised about the nature of some of the photographs posted online.
Councillor Nick Peel, Executive Member for Children’s Services at Bolton Council, said: “In general, parents and organisations need to be careful about publishing photos of children on the internet.
“It is unsafe and people trawl the internet looking for things like this.”
Pictures
One mother, who asked not to be named, said: “They advertise as being aerobics/gymnastics with a pole but if you see the pictures, you will see this is not the case.
“These pictures are also being posted across Facebook and this just invites child grooming.”
A spokesman for the Mothers’ Union said: “Whilst the pole dancing lessons do require parental attendance to start with, we are concerned that children are being targeted with an activity that, by and large, is part of a male club culture which objectifies women.
“It is naive to suggest that any young person joining such a class will be unaware of the intention of pole dancing.”
Consent
However Jess Leanne Norris, who runs the classes, said: “What I teach is pole fitness, nothing else. I have never received any complaints. There is nothing at all rude going on at JLN.
“I have had nothing but support, it is an art. We only put pictures on Facebook with parents’ consent. It is nothing inappropriate.”
Another pole dancing school in nearby Horwich is also offering lessons for children aged 14 and older.
Last month it emerged that girls as young as three were being taught pole dancing. Child protection group Kidscape labelled the classes “deeply disturbing”.