A business catering for the gay community has applied for a sex shop licence.

It wants to be able to sell explicit R18 videos and DVDs featuring gay pornography.

Fashion shop Clone Zone opened in St James's Street, Brighton, two years ago.

Manager Tony Sinclair said there is a big demand from customers for adult material.

He is barred from providing R18 films because Clone Zone does not have a licence to sell them.

He said: "Two years ago, new guidelines allowed film directors to include far more explicit scenes. In order to control sales to adults, these videos are only legally available through licensed sex shops.

"By law, you can now only buy an R18 film from one licensed sex shop in Brighton. The Private Shop is tucked away near Brighton station and is not particularly attractive to gays and lesbians in the city.

"We have collected 800 signatures in support of our application. It shows there is a large demand for explicit gay material among our customers."

Mr Sinclair said Clone Zone, which already has licenses to sell other adult material, does not admit anyone under 18. A sex shop licence would cost the business £10,462 a year.

Brighton and Hove City Council licensing sub-committee will consider the application on May 7. A spokeswoman said: "Council officers are not making any recommendations.

"They have left it to councillors to make up their own minds about the need for a licensed sex shop in Kemp Town."

Tom Mannouche, of the St James's Street Traders Association, said: "Clone Zone is very community minded and I personally do not have any objection to its proposal."