TUESDAY 7.30AM: A warehouse stocking X-rated material is likely to get the green light from Melton Council on Thursdaydespite some strong opposition.

Several letters have been written calling on officers to ban the opening of the storage building in Kings Road industrial estate, which needs a sex shop establishment licence.

Business partners Paul Noble and Dan Cruickshank insist it will not be open to the public or have visible evidence of the contents but several people have opposed it on moral grounds.

A group called Challenge Team UK, which promotes saving sex until marriage, wrote to the council. It says: "It would be extremely irresponsible to issue a licence for a sex shop in the town, even if at present the intention is solely for a warehouse. Every responsible citizen should be working to create a climate which discourages casual and promiscuous sex."

Another letter reads: "I would like to strongly object to the proposal because I strongly feel the increase of sale of sex items will eventually lead to prostitution, violence and anti-social activities."

The application for the business states it will trade as a warehouse from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday with three members of staff including the two business partners.

A report by licensing officers says: "This application is for a warehouse to store the articles to be sold by mail order and internet. There will be no callers at the premises to collect goods and this licence will not cover the retail sale directly from these premises."

The Melton Times could not contact Mr Noble or Mr Cruickshank.

The application will go before Thursday's Licensing Committee at 6.30pm in Phoenix House, Nottingham Road.