BRITAIN: Liverpool City Council last night approved plans to open Britain's first official red light zone.
"An overwhelming majority" of council members voted in favour of a designated area where prostitutes can ply their trade legally and safely.
Councillors will now take the proposals to the Home Office in a bid to get the law changed so the plans can be pushed through.
A council spokeswoman said: "The council has voted with an overwhelming majority to approach the Home Office with our plans. The majority was so clear vocally that we did not need to take a hand count on it. It was a very rapid decision."
If the plans get government backing, the red light zone will be based on the Dutch model used in Utrecht, only operating at night and situated in an industrial area of the inner city, away from homes and night-time businesses.
It would be easily accessible by car and public transport, and have ample parking.
The site would also have CCTV cameras, premises to be used as a health and welfare centre, and controlled access to ensure only sex workers and their clients used the area.
A uniformed presence of either police officers or city wardens would patrol the zone.
The exact area has not been decided, and the council has not disclosed its potential shortlist.
A Home Office spokesman said: "We are looking into the pros and cons of such zones, but it would require primary legislation to make them legal."