personal searches in nightclubs

I am a young female, and on entering a nightclub the contents of my handbag were poured out onto a surface that was seen by other members of the public. I was then throughly frisked by a female member of staff in front of the rest of the queueing public. Is this allowed, and what are the laws regarding members of nightclub staff searching the public?

[JETX]

Unless you were forced to enter this nightclub and be subjected to this search against you will, you have no claim.

I assume, since you said nothing to the contrary, that you were free to leave or to stop the search at any time. By not exercising that right, you agreed to the search.