WE don't want a sex shop near our children's school.That's the message from Ipswich mums petitioning to stop an adult store opening a stone's thrown away from a primary school.

By Amanda Cresswell

WE don't want a sex shop near our children's school.

That's the message from Ipswich mums petitioning to stop an adult store opening a stone's thrown away from a primary school.

Mother of two Denise Hart has led a campaign against plans to open Ipswich's first ever license sex shop in St Matthews Street.

If a licence is granted the premises will be close to St Matthew's Primary and sandwiched between the Christian Science Reading Room and Suffolk Animal Rescue charity shop.

The 33-year-old mother, whose seven-year-old son attends St Matthews, said: "People are upset about it opening up. I have given local churches in the area petitions and one has been completed already.

"I am a member of The Triangle Church on Dickens Road and from a Christian standpoint I don't think it is a good thing to be providing, especially on a main road and close to the town centre.

"Lots of families and children walk down by it and parents bringing their children to school.

"There is already a weapon type shop nearby and adult shop in Norwich Road. The whole area is not very nice.

"Basically the comments people have said to me is that they don't want it there. Everybody I have asked has wanted to sign my petition. People have got to act quickly before March 10."

Petition forms have been given into places of worship in the area, including St Matthews Church and Elim Pentecostal Church.

An application was made to Ipswich Borough Council, by Stephen Wesley of Sheffield based Ecclesall Trading Company to use the empty premises as a sex shop.

The application will be dealt with by the Licensing Regulatory Committee.

Anyone wanting to comment should write to The Group Manager, Environmental Services, Ipswich Borough Council, Civic Centre, Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2EE.

Mr Wesley had earlier told The Star the premises, subject to approval from Ipswich Borough Council, will have a welcoming frontage and will steer clear of anything seedy.