CONCERNS have been raised over the rising pornography trade in Ipswich.Religious leaders and watchdog groups have said they are "saddened" by the apparent market for hardcore sex goods in the town, after several applications for new shops.

CONCERNS have been raised over the rising pornography trade in Ipswich.

Religious leaders and watchdog groups have said they are "saddened" by the apparent market for hardcore sex goods in the town, after several applications for new shops.

The town's first licensed sex shop, Sixx in Upper Orwell Street, opened this year selling hardcore goods, videos and DVDs.

A second license was also granted to a sex shop in Norwich Road.

Two applications for sex shops have been received by Ipswich Borough Council, one relates to premises behind the town's entertainment complex in Cardinal Park and the other is in Upper Brook Street.

If both are accepted, Ipswich will have four outlets. Norwich has one licensed sex shop, Cambridge has two, Haverhill has one and Bury St Edmunds none.

Neal Smith, minister at the Colchester Road Baptist Church, said: "I think it is a sad situation. I believe God has a much better plan for human relationships than that."

Jack Chapman, chairman of the Ipswich Society, which monitors development in the town, said: "I do think four shops would be a bit much.

"You can't actually stop this if there is a market for it locally but you can try to control it and make sure the shops are in suitable areas, away from children and residential areas."

Kevan Lim, county councillor for Ipswich Town, said he had not yet studied the applications and added: "I haven't got any problem with shops such as Ann Summers, selling lingerie and the like but if they were to be more hardcore, I might well be objecting."

People have 28 days to object to the application for a licensed sex shop in New Cardinal Street, submitted by Mark Lewis of Bright Light Leisure Ltd, Cambridge.

Darker Enterprises, of Barking, Essex, which owns more than 70 similar outlets around the country, applied on May 6 for permission for a licensed sex shop on Upper Brook Street. Both applicants were unavailable for comment.

Any objections to the applications should be sent to the Group Manager, Environmental Services, Civic Centre, Civic Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2EE.