Two Reggae artists have hit back at calls to ban their music from shops because it is homophobic.

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community have called for the records of stars such as Elephant Man and Sizzla to be banned from Brighton and Hove shops.

They argue the lyrics incite racial hatred and violence against gay people.

The music was due to be discussed by Brighton and Hove City Council last night but brothers Akushla and Tchandela of Western Road, Brighton, said the lyrics needed to be taken in the context in which they were written.

The duo, who grew up with reggae as the background music of their lives, condemned homophobia but felt it was wrong to ban the music.

Born in Jamaica but brought up inEngland, Tchandela said: "I am not homophobic and in no way do I condone violence against anyone because of their sexuality.

"But in Jamaica there are more churches per square mile than any other country in the world. People live by the bible and the bible says that homosexuality is wrong.

"When you are brought up in that kind of daily environment to believe what the priest is saying or you will go to hell and damnation, then you can't think anything else."

Akushla said illiteracy was so high in Jamaica and a huge proportion never left the island so it was hard to change to opinion of a nation where the bible was taken so literally.

He said in a country where there was $100 to the pound and the minimum wage was $500 a day, the bible was often the major influence in people's lives.

Tchandela, 40 and Akushla, 37, insisted that while the debate on homosexuality went on in Jamaica, the subject would be thrown up in reggae because it was so inextricably linked with the culture and therefore the bible.

Akushla, who runs the Caribbean Kitchen at The Hanover in Queen's Park Road, Brighton, said: "Reggae music is written for the people of Jamaica who understand Patois and therefore the irony and the context of the lyrics."

The brothers are concerned that banning these artists will set a precedent for banning other types of music.

Tchandela said: "What about music that condones violence, or is derogatory to women, such as hip hop and gangsta rap?

"Unless there is a proper debate this could open the floodgates and then where will it end?"

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Simon Williams, who launched the campaign to have homophobic music banned, said: "Although I can understand the cultural context this music comes from, the need for freedom of speech ceases when it incites hatred."