THE public will decide whether Swindon is to introduce new licensing laws that would allow more sex shops in the town.

Swindon Council's licensing committee last night agreed to listen to the people before deciding if it will adopt the act allowing the change.

The move would allow licensed shops to stock hardcore material currently prohibited.

Currently both of Swindon's sex shops the Exchange Bookshop in Gorse Hill and the Private Shop in Old Town are not licensed to stock hard core material.

The decision was welcomed by one sex shop owner who hopes to open a store in Swindon. Mick Bushell, director of DOM Promotions Ltd, which opened the first licensed sex shop in the Welsh valleys, said: "It's the democratic decision.

"At least they have been open minded and agreed to go to consultation."

The 46-year-old, whose company runs hundreds of websites, including one for Page 3 girl Teresa May, believes the consultation would favour the change.

"The good thing is consultation means other people's views will be considered," he said. "It's a positive step forward which we are pleased about. It's great.

"They're going to have to go forward with it."

Councillors also welcomed the decision to gauge public opinion on the relevant part of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, which permits licensing.

And Coun Andy Harrison (Lab, Penhill) criticised a report, by licensing officer Lionel Starling, for what he said was a bias against the change in law.

He said: "I'm disgusted by the nature of the report and the bias that is within it.

"I think it's right that people should have at least an opportunity to say if they are vehemently opposed.

"However, I think most people will take a common sense approach and say if that's what people want then live and let live."

Coun Mike Evemy, (Lib Dem, Eastcott) agreed, saying: "We have to accept that people want to view explicit material. If people don't want to go into these sex shops they won't go in.

"It doesn't cause offence to anybody who doesn't want to go in there.

"We shouldn't be in a position of prohibiting something that is perfectly legal in other parts of the country.

"We should consult and get the views of the people of Swindon."

The council is yet to set a date for the meeting to decide how they will go about consulting the public on the matter of sex shops.

Gareth Bethell