PROTESTERS have reacted with anger to a council's decision to grant a licence for a sex "superstore" in Blackburn.

The licence for the shop in Preston New Road was granted at a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen's licensing committee.

Before the meeting, residents, councillors and businesses in the area protested.

The 'Simply Pleasure' store would be similar to others in Rochdale and Oldham run by Rossendale businesswoman and mother-of-two Suzanne Winfield.

She said her stores were designed to avoid offence to passers-by.

Each store sells underwear, sex toys, videos and DVDs and the Oldham branch has its own in-store dungeon.

Opponent Coun Paul McGurty said: "It again comes as no surprise that members on the licensing committee failed to listen.

"They decided that this was the ideal location and an appropriate business to open in a predominantly residential location."

Explaining the decision to grant the licence, licensing committee vice-chairman Coun Ronald O'Keefe said: "We listened to the objectors whose concerns were mainly about children, but we felt it was a quality shop and the window displays would be controlled by the council.

"Children will not be affected and parents should have no worries, because passing those premises will be no different from passing any other."

But Paul Greenhalgh, principal of the nearby Blackburn School of Music said he was surprised with the decision. "I know the council is trying to put Blackburn on the map and develop the image of the town, but this is one of our main thoroughfares into the town centre so the shop will be one of the first things they will see."

Wensley Fold councillor Kate Hollern said: "I am extremely disappointed and slightly angry.

"I will be watching them to make sure they act responsibly."