A BLACKBURN shock rock band whose act includes dismembering a baby doll have defended their "disgusting" stage antics.

Angry mum Doreen Garnman called on parents to stop children attending the Exorsisters gig tomorrow night when they support rock legends The Damned at the town's King George's Hall.

But the teen band today defended their show and said: "It's just like a pantomime."

Mrs Garnman, of Mill Hill, Blackburn, said she was happy the band were popular with her 16-year-old daughter and her pals until she learnt of their "disgusting stage act and message."

She claims the band's outrageous acts include faking suicide and drug use on stage - and encouraging their audience to become violent and spout swear words.

Mrs Garnman was also upset at the band's "outrageous" costumes and make-up.

She said: "I don't want to sound like a moaning old spoilsport, I enjoy rock acts such as Busted and Avril Lavigne, all of whom I think set a good example to teenagers.

"I cannot, however, see any need for the amount of distasteful antics this 'musical group' perform. As a parent I would like to see some kind of restraint put on these performances as in the end this can lead to no good for the community's young people."

There are no laws concerning the censorship of music but records can carry parental guidance symbols to warn of explicit lyrics. In America groups such as the prominent Parents' Music Resource Group - headed by Tipper Gore, the wife of ex-US vice-president Al - have emerged to campaign for censorship against bands like Marilyn Manson.

And UK heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne was unsuccessfully sued by the parents of a 19-year-old who claimed their son committed suicide after listening to his song Suicide Solution.

The band claim they can't remember ever faking suicide or drug-taking on stage, although they admit to swearing, trashing equipment and wearing make-up and dresses.

And they invited Mrs Garnman to see their act for herself, with Kurt adding: "If she can't trust her daughter to watch a rock show and not go away wanting to kill people then it says something."

The band, who formed nearly two years ago, have played King George's Hall several time and have a growing local fan base. They are set to release an album in January.

Promoter Steven Stanley of Solid Entertainment, who are organising the Damned gig, said: "Yes they are a little bit outrageous but nothing more than what plays on the concert circuit. It's perfectly harmless and they are just having a bit of fun."

King George's Hall say they haven't received any complaints.