A dairy farmer who took heed of government advice to diversify has horrified neighbours by branching out into the field of adult entertainment.

Roger Stanbury has converted a barn at his farm at Bishop’s Tawton, near Barnstaple, Devon, into Club Vanilla - a purple-decked lounge for “mature swingers”.

There is a stage for pole-dancing strippers and alcoves equipped with double beds for customers to use when they get the urge.

Mr Stanbury, who gave up farming seven years ago to concentrate on running a camping and caravanning site, is unapologetic about his new venture, which is being advertised on the internet.

The website informs members that chewing gum will get them banned but condoms will be handed out free. It promises a “sophisticated club environment designed for sexy fun where couples can come and play”.

The 54-year-old divorcé decided that entertainment for discreet but consenting couples would be less trouble than the discos he had been holding for teenagers.

He said: “I respect local views but as long as no one is harmed I don’t see a problem with having a swingers’ club here.

“People are generally very broad-minded, it’s a Liberal voting area. Some will find it very amusing and some won’t, but you see things like this on television all the time these days.”

He set up Club Vanilla after “minor scuffles” led to police being called to his teen disco.

He said: “After that police told us they would prefer us to deal with more mature people. This is for consenting adult couples and is not bothering anyone. There’s nothing bawdy about it. There’s a big bar and disco area where couples can meet and get to know each other, then if things progress they can go somewhere more private and carry on. Sometimes they don’t do anything and just enjoy the atmosphere and the possibilities. It’s tasteful and safe, there’s nothing seedy about it in my eyes. I know it’s unusual for a small area like this but times change.

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I’m putting on adult entertainment. I don’t want to create problems with teenagers hanging around outside.”

He has been granted a licence to hold 12 “events” a year and intends to charge £45 entry with free membership.

Club Vanilla will offer an exotic floor show, whirlpool bath and dance floor. Customers will also be encouraged to make their own entertainment, but only with consenting partners.

Mr Stanwell hopes to play host to about 50 couples on Club Vanilla’s opening night on April 26.

Residents of Bishop’s Tawton, population 1,000, are unlikely to be among them. One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It would be quite awkward walking into the village shop in the morning and bumping into someone you’d got frisky with the night before.”

Sheila Moorcroft, 62, another neighbour, said: “It’s pretty sleazy. I don’t want people turning round in the drive or knocking at the door asking if they’ve come to the right place.”

Gillian Williams said: “Those who live around here have already given our opinions to the council and I was against it then and I still am now. It’s out of entirely out of keeping with the local character and it promotes Bishop’s Tawton for all the wrong reasons. It’s entirely out of place and will give the area a very bad name.

“I went to school with Mr Stanbury and I’m his friend so I don’t want to say any more.”

A spokeswoman for North Devon Council said that the authority had been made aware of the swingers’ club by local residents but she admitted the venue was not breaking the law. She said: “There are no restrictions on the licence that say they can’t have adult entertainment.”

An application by Mr Stanbury to vary the licence to allow more frequent events was refused by councillors last year.

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