Strip club owners fear that new licensing guidelines will herald a purge of adult entertainment venues across Scotland because government advice states that lapdancing should be seen as an act of violence against women.

Laws underpinning the new licensing regime have been passed by Holyrood but the system has not yet come into force. The framework will allow councils to set a number for strip clubs, classified as sexual entertainment venues, in their area, which could be zero.

The limit applies even if there are existing venues, meaning owners could face closure or a lengthy and expensive legal fight to challenge effective bans.

Draft guidelines on how the laws should be interpreted allow councils to license venues but draw attention to an official Scottish government