HARDCORE porn does not lead to a rise in sexual abuse, according to Adver readers.

The majority of Adver readers 65 per cent said the availability of hardcore porn material would not lead to an increase in sexual abuse.

The council has opted out of a licensing scheme that would allow R18 material to be sold in shops in the town.

The council's licensing committee decided last Thursday not to adopt a sex shop licensing regime that would allow premises to sell hardcore material, including R18 DVDs.

After the meeting, Coun Colin Lovell, (Con, Moredon), chairman of the licensing committee, said: "We are now looking into writing to our local MPs with a view of changing the law so that we can control where such shops can or cannot be located."

Committee member Coun Dave Wood (Lib Dem, Eastcott) refrained from voting on the issue.

He said: "The sex shop consultation was poor no individuals were consulted which is why I abstained from voting.

"However, suggesting the issue be shelved for up to three years would be dreadful.

"Evidence was given that hardcore pornography was being sold in areas children frequent, such as leisure centre car parks."

The decision came after months of wrangling over whether sex shops would swamp the town if the council adopted such a licensing regime.

Among opponents was a coalition of churches that say sex shops lead to a rise rape and child pornography.

In its submission to the council's licensing committee, Swindon Churches Together said such a move would attract an undesirable element and give the town a seedy reputation.

But Peter Wannell, the owner of Exchange Bookshop an adult shop in Gorse Hill rejected the church criticism.

"The only effect my shop will have is maybe a baby boom," he said. He said there had been no rise in sex crime in other towns that had adopted sex shop licensing, and added that the suggestion the licence would cost £10,000 was ridiculous.

The council surveyed 33 community, cultural and religious organisations and parish councils. Of those, 23 were opposed to the scheme, seven supported it and three took no position. Council licensing committee chairman Colin Lovell (Con, Moredon) said he agreed with the majority of readers.

"I would largely agree that it doesn't lead to sexual assaults," Coun Lovell said.

But he said the committee had turned down the licensing plan because it did not give the council enough power to control where sex shops were located.

"We wanted stronger safeguards about the locations so they don't put off high standard shops coming to Swindon," Coun Lovell said.