A sadomasochist swingers club with a dungeon and torture chamber has been shutdown over health and safety concerns.

The Vivente private members club in Sunderland has been closed down for not complying with fire regulations.

Sunderland Magistrates' Court heard that as many as 60 revellers could be crammed into the club, which described itself as having a "whole new modern approach to the swinging lifestyle".

An old website for the club said the basement dungeon was "complete with St Georges Cross, stocks, sex-swing and plenty of implements to inflict pain".

Mr Wotherspoon said that "fire risks were aggravated by the presence of equipment" which would make it tricky for people to escape in the event of a fire.

Owner Katherine High pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching the rules.

Jim Wotherspoon, prosecuting on behalf of Sunderland City Council and Tyne and Wear Fire Service, said authorities were informed on April 21, 2015 that the property did not meet health and safety standards.

He said: "The rear entrance was hidden but when you went to it, it was locked from the outside with roller shutter coming down and there was no way it could be used in the event of a fire."