A COUNCILLOR who called on people to use the internet rather than sex shops to access pornography has admitted defeat in a battle to stop a shop in Burnley being granted a licence.

Coun Granville Lord said: "It's the lesser of two evils," after councillors granted a 12 month licence to the shop at 124c Colne Road, Duke Bar, Burnley, known as The Private Shop.

They were told if they refused the application it could be granted by a court and they would have no control over the licence.

The council's licensing sub-committee, which met last night, granted the temporary licence on condition there are no advertisements outside the shop, the names of staff are given to the police to vet, and the premises are tidied up and improved.

The shop has operated for more than 15 years but the previous licence had lapsed. Coun Granville Lord, who three months ago said there was no need for sex shops in the community with the growth of internet porn, said: "I stand by my comments. I don't believe sex shops should be in the community but the industry is there and we don't want to drive it underground.

"My main concern was the advertising of sex aids appearing outside a shop on a main road where everyone passing could see it -- it's offensive. The conditions of this licence prohibits any advertising outside the shop. It's the lesser of two evils."

A council officer will regularly monitor the shop. The licence application was made by Darker Enterprises which runs a chain of fifty sex shops, including one in Darwen Street, Blackburn.

Clive Sullivan, a management consultant acting on behalf of Darker, said: "I think the councillors were aware that by granting this licence they could exercise some control over the premises and over the staff employed there.

The Act that controls sex establishments says the mere fact that people find them offensive is not a ground the council can take into account when deciding a licence application.

"I don't think this shop will impact on the area."

Councillors urged officers to progress with enforcement action to shut down an unrelated unlicensed sex shop next door but one to The Private Shop, at 122 Colne Road, as the manager had failed to apply for a licence. There is an application fee of £1,500. If the licence is granted £250 would be refunded.