A FORMER lap-dancer has worked her way from the pole to the manager's chair and is now hoping to turn Worcester's only lap-dancing club into a mini Spearmint Rhino.

Five years ago, Sharon Downton was strutting her stuff at Legends, the lap-dancing club below Images nightclub in The Butts.

Today, she is one of the few women in the industry to step from the dance floor to the manager's office.

"I got into the business through a friend of a friend," said Miss Downton.

From Legends she moved to top Birmingham lap-dancing club, Spearmint Rhino.

"I worked up from dancer, to waitress, to bar staff to bar manager there," said the 31-year-old who has also appeared on Bravo television's documentary series, Inside Spearmint Rhino.

The perks of the job can be lucrative.

Last year, one high roller's "tip" was to take Miss Downton to a party in Las Vegas.

Three weeks ago, she returned to her old stomping ground as the manager of Legends and has high hopes for the venue.

"There are going to be a lot of new girls who are much prettier," she said.

"I'm going to make it much more upmarket and improve the whole ambience.

"I am going to put in private booths which haven't been here before. There's going to be lights on tables and waitress service.

"It's going to be a mini Spearmint Rhino."

Miss Downton has 15 girls employed at the club which is open on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm.

All the improvements are being carried out while the venue is open.