SEX shops, lap dancing clubs and even “suggestive material” should all be banned from Herefordshire.

That is the view of one Herefordshire Council committee which last week voted to maintain the county’s zero tolerance policy towards erotic entertainment.

The last man to apply for a sex shop licence in Herefordshire has branded the council stance “stupid and short-sighted”.

Mick Bushell wanted to open a sex shop on the outskirts of Hereford but came up against the local authority policy that states that the appropriate number of sex establishments in the county should be zero.

He tried to overturn the ban – reinforced by the council’s regulatory committee this week – but was left complaining about a perceived lack of freedom of choice.

“It’s antiquated to be honest,” said Mr Bushell.

“We’re in a modern day and age.

“I was in Hereford the other day and walked past Ann Summers. It sells everything we wanted to sell apart from the films.

“It’s stupid and quite short-sighted. For the sake of selling films they [the council] are missing out on revenue and the chance to employ local people.”

Mr Bushell, from Longhope near Ross-on-Wye, added: “I feel the council is living in the dark ages.”

The Regulatory Committee heard last week that if it does not update its policy then sex entertainment venues such as lap dancing clubs would not require council licences and would be able to operate unregulated by the local authority.

The committee stressed, however, the ruling does not prevent licence applications for such establishments being made, with each bid considered "on their individual merits".

Committee chairman Cllr Alan Seldon said he had feared the council may be vulnerable to judicial reviews and suggested adding a line to their policy reflecting a Secretary of State announcement that local authority's can put "zero" as an appropriate number for sex establishments in its licensing policy.

The matter will be discussed by full council next Friday.