(LONDON) -- The Playboy "bunny girl" hostesses are set to return to London after a 20-year absence in a deal with Ladbroke casinos, Playboy boss Christie Hefner has announced.

The "Playboy Casino Club," planned for central London, will include a casino, bar, nightclub and restaurant where the famous hostesses, in their skimpy costumes complete with floppy bunny ears and fluffy tail, will evoke memories of the "Swinging London" of the 1960s and 1970s.

"We are thrilled with the prospect of returning to London, where we were so successful in the past", said Christie Hefner, chairman and executive director of Playboy, daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.

Playboy's previous London clubs were closed in 1981.

The new complex has not yet received authorisation from the gaming authorities, but the Hilton group, which owns Ladbrokes, is confident.

"Bringing the glamorous international name of Playboy to London will immediately put the casino on the map", said Ian Payne, managing director of Ladbroke casinos.

"The power of the Playboy brand coupled with the gaming expertise of Ladbroke will quickly establish a high profile, exciting casino, which will be much in demand", he added.

Playboy Enterprises publishes the long-running Playboy "girly" magazine and broadcasts Playboy TV , the pay-per-view television network of the adult entertainment giant.

Ladbroke runs 27 casinos in Britain.

If a licence is granted, the new gambling club could open its doors in mid-2001.