Once confined to sleazy strip club joints, pole dancing could be on its way up to the biggest stage in international sport.

It has become an increasingly popular fitness activity. And after more than a decade of campaigning, it has been recognised by the Global Association of International Sports Federation and could become an Olympic sport.

The news was welcomed cautiously by Faye Miller, who used to work in debt recovery but is now a pole and aerial fitness instructor.

Faye, 30, who lives in the Singlewell area of Gravesend, owns Athena Fitness, a fitness company in Milton Road, Gravesend,which teaches pole, aerial loops, trapeze, twerking, stretch classes and classic style.

She said there were more negatives than positives of it becoming an Olympic sport.

She said: “Pole has gone down a quite long road when it comes to fitness. A lot of people were quite strong-minded about it and only saw the bad side, like a strip club.

“There’s always a bit of a stigma with it because it’s a bit taboo.

“I do feel that by placing it in the Olympics it will be trying to hide where it originally came from.

“I think in the Olympics it will become very regimented – you can only do it in certain ways. When people do classes it’s quite free and they do any style.

“If people see it in the Olympics, they would think we have to be super-strong.

“I don’t mind it becoming an Olympic sport, but it is not the be all and end all.”

Faye, who started her fitness clubs 11 years ago and has competed in pole competitions in Kent, said when competing in pole that floor work, spin, strength, costume and musicality all gets judged.

However, the news was welcomed by Brook Kimber, the man behind Work-It, a pole-dancing studio in Strood.

Brook, 29, whose passion stemmed from climbing trees as a lad, has seen the sport grow with gyms springing up all over the country.

Today he can get up to 50 come along to his classes, from teenage students to middle-aged accountants and teachers.

Brook said: “It’s great it has been recognised at last. After all, it is the ultimate workout, just like gymnastics except the pole is not horizontal, but is the other way.”

Brook hopes the possible breakthrough may encourage more men and children to take part.

He said: “If it is to become an Olympic sport, like other gymnasts they will have to start training from a young age.”

Pole dancing, or pole as the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) prefers, has been given “observer status” by the Global Association of International Sports Federation (GAISF), a move which sets out a pathway towards full Olympic recognition. This could be achieved in less than 10 years.