CILLA Black's plans to open a nightclub in the West End have been scuppered. The TV presenter had found a venue for the club in a street close to Oxford Circus.

But council officials turned down her plans because the area already has too many late-night bars and clubs.

Black, 61, had chosen a shop just off Oxford Street which she wanted to convert.

The club, provisionally called Black, would have incorporated a restaurant, bar and dancefloor.

Unfortunately for her, the venue is in one of Westminster Council's "stress areas".

The opening of new bars and clubs is restricted in these parts of the capital in a bid to control the number of late-night revellers on the streets.