HAMPSHIRE'S education bosses today slammed a religious group which branded their sex education "sleazy".

The influential Christian Institute charity criticised a sex education pack for teachers, which featured graphic sex information and even advised pupils aged as young as 11 be sent to buy condoms as part of their homework.

The pack, called Taking Sex Seriously, features on a list of approved teaching materials for Hampshire schools.

But county school leaders said teachers were responsible enough to handle the controversial material sensitively.

The advice, first distributed in 1994 and taken out of publication in 2000, listed a broad range of sex acts.

It also asked youngsters to take part in homosexual role play.

But the county said the information had been misrepresented.

Hampshire schools chief Andrew Seber said: "The Christian Institute has taken these sensitive issues completely out of context and their tone does little to encourage sensible debate.

"This resource pack is one of several used in Hampshire secondary schools to offer teachers a wide range of activities to use in sex and relationship education classes with older pupils.

"We expect teachers to use their judgement and skills in selecting and managing sex and relationship education appropriate to pupil needs identified with the pupils themselves, especially in older year groups.

"I am confident that the local education authority does everything within its power to ensure that Hampshire pupils are provided with high quality learning opportunities and that teachers are sensitive to pupils' needs."

Taking Sex Seriously producers Healthwise said: "What people are trying to do is quite difficult work. Some of the people doing this with youngsters find it immensely difficult when they are pilloried for doing what they believe is the right thing."

The Christian Institute attacked the material as "shockingly explicit" and called for "tough new laws" to protect youngsters.

A spokesman for the institute said even though teachers took care, youngsters could still be exposed to the material.

He said: "I have a lot more faith in teachers than education officials and it is true I expect teachers to make sensible decisions.

"But, we all know they are hard- pressed and don't have time to go through this stuff with a fine tooth-comb.

"It's a handy pack with lessons plans and is easy to use.

"There will be some teachers who decide to use this and if there is one classroom in Hampshire using this then it is one classroom too many."

The Rector of Southampton's city centre parish the Rev Ian Johnson said: "Anything that encourages children and young people to take their sexuality seriously and to manage it responsibly is to be welcomed.

"But anything that directs young people in any direction other than healthy sexual relationships needs to be challenged."