SWINDON'S booming pub and club scene needs more door supervisors, especially women.

Pay can be up to £9 to £11 an hour and to qualify applicants need to compete two days training.

They also have to complete a form to enable the police to check their records.

Council licensing officer Lionel Starling says that about 50 locals are needed to join the town's 300 door supervisors.

Currently there are only five or six are women working as supervisors in the town.

"We desperately need more women to come forward," said Mr Starling.

"Without them, defusing situations and searching can be difficult. It's obviously much harder for men to ensure that drug trading doesn't take place in women's toilets."

Nicky Fitzgerald, 36, who, with her husband Kevin, is joint licensee of the Victoria pub in Victoria Road and of the Rolleston and Level Three, has done door duty herself.

She stresses the days of the sinister 'bouncer' are gone.

"It's not about standing in front of the door with your arms crossed looking like a bully boy," she said.

"It should be the opposite standing there welcoming people so they know there's somebody around.

"The vast majority of people are there for a good night out and, if your door security's right, people feel secure rather than intimidated."

Mrs Fitzgerald recommends women consider being door supervisors.

"A lot of the time it's down to your attitude," she said. "It's fine if you're prepared to talk to people and respect them as individuals. And sometimes it's easier for a woman because a bloke isn't as likely to hit you."

People wanting more information about becoming door supervisors should ring Mr Starling on 01793 466109.

If there is enough interest, the council will invite them to join the leisure trade and police in a presentation on what the job entails.

The Mission nightclub is the first Swindon venue to have a fully registered door team. The council is now pressing other venues to catch up.

The Advertiser reported yesterday on a new course being held at Swindon's New College for supervisors.

The National Vocational Qualification course offers advice on issues ranging from customer diplomacy to lifesaving first aid.