The Evening Gazette on Teesside has defended its decision to publish a hard-hitting story revealing life inside a city brothel on its front page.

Features writer Barbara Argument exclusively reported on how a local woman had re-opened her home to prostitutes just hours after being convicted of running it as a brothel.

Barbara was able to witness the house being used by prostitutes first hand.

And the story prompted an editorial comment from editor Steve Dyson, who explained the reasoning behind the decision to publish the story.

He told readers: "Today's gritty story exposing Brenda Wilson's brothel in the heart of Middlesbrough was not an easy one to allow in such depth in this newspaper.

"A number of discussions were held by editorial executives, opinions sought from several female journalists as well as their male colleagues, and more than one conscience thoroughly searched before the decision was made.

"And even though we published, we did so knowing many readers might feel annoyed at such a subject being brought into their homes.

"The Gazette is sorry if any discomfort has been caused, but on this occasion we think it right to highlight what some consider too sordid an issue for the wider public.

"Why? Because prostitution exists, and always will - as regularly stated during our Kerb the Crawlers campaign. That is the reality."

Steve told Holdthefrontpage that he was surprised the paper was able to gain such an insight into the brothel.

He said: "We sent our features writer to cover the story and she saw the business carrying on in front of her eyes.

"We were completely taken aback that we were able to see this but to Brenda it's her life. She genuinely feels that she's doing the girls a service by letting them use her house.

"It was a hard story but we had to run it. It was difficult to use the word 'brothel' on the front page but it's a hot topic and we benefit from being at the centre of controversial topics. We take a stance and open up our letters page to readers.

"There has been fury from the neighbours but one guy suggested Ms Wilson should be nominated for our Community Champion award for keeping the girls off the streets.

"We print a balance of opinion and people keep on reading."

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