COUNCILLORS have given the green light to controversial plans for a fourth sex shop in Southampton.

City licensing bosses took more than an hour to decide Hidden Desires should be allowed to sell graphic DVDs and videos alongside lingerie, clothing, marital aids and magazines.

The St Mary Street shop has been running for more than 20 years but is now able to provide R18 films for its customers - a classification reserved for the most violent or sexually graphic films.

It means shop manager Matthew Smith, who also manages sex shops Hidden Assets in Millbrook Road West and Hidden Pleasures in Portsmouth, is also able to go ahead with plans to show film trailers on a flat screen television in a back room at the store.

It is the fourth sex shop licensed by city bosses in just two years.

Objectors had hoped to put a stop to the plans, which allow the shop to open from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9am to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, because they say it would lower the tone of the neighbourhood and hinder regeneration of the area.

Resident Lorraine Barter, who lives in the Polygon area of the city, said: "The ease with which these licences have been obtained is horrifying. At this rate there will be no areas left in Southampton without a sex shop."

Concerns were also raised about the shop being too near Southampton City College, on a school route to St Mary's Primary, and being close to a number of religious buildings.

But Malcolm Gibney, representing Mr Smith, said: "No objections whatsoever have been put forward by the school, other traders, the college or the religious establishments. This is a discreet and appropriate form of retail."

Following the decision, Councillor John Noon, who had objected to the plans, said: "I am very concerned about the decision and I think it was the wrong decision to make. I don't think it will add to the improvements that have been made in the areas and I am very disappointed."

Mr Smith said: "I am very pleased with the outcome. I am pleased that we can now operate under council regulations and can be considered legal in everyone's eyes."