Sex toys in store at Debenhams

HIGH STREET stores group Debenhams is to sell sex toys, diamante blindfolds and fetish underwear, it has been revealed.

The chain is following the lead of Boots and Superdrug which are both planning to offer similar products.

Politicians and campaigners say selling such 'toys' in family stores is likely to offend the elderly and parents shopping with children, as well as those with strongly-held religious or moral views.

The range will appear in ten Debenhams stores from 22 November, apparently in an attempt to catch the eye of Christmas shoppers.

It is made by a firm called Tabooboo, which opened a concession in Selfridges in London earlier this year.

Debenhams is also introducing a range of fetish underwear under the upmarket brand Myla in 40 stores. This includes a diamante blindfold.

The move comes amid a sexual revolution in the High Street. Tabooboo has already placed sex toy vending machines in London bars.

The Ann Summers chain is opening stores on High Streets, while last month pornographer Larry Flynt opened a sex megastore in Birmingham - his first outside the US.

Director of pressure group Family and Youth Concern Norman Wells, said Debenhams was taking a risky path.

'Family stores need to consider very carefully the messages they may be sending out to young people,' he said.'If they go down this line, they will cheapen their image.'