THE ARRIVAL of a saucy lingerie shop in Preston has received a frosty response from a senior member of the clergy.

Ann Summers is to officially open its 71st store in Preston next month but a Catholic Father has said that the chain of shops encourage "superficial" feelings in men.

The retailer will sell sexy lingerie, bedroom playwear, sex toys, novelties and massage oil to spice up Preston lovers' sex lives.

But a representative from the Roman Catholic Church has raised questions over whether such a shop should be welcome in the city.

Father Denis Blackledge, a spokesman for the Lancaster Roman Catholic diocese, which covers Preston and South Ribble, said: "The danger of these sort of shops is that they are concerned with the superficial. They certainly don't discourage us men from thinking that beauty is just on the outside. Beauty radiates from the heart." He added: "I don't think Ann Summers is conducive to reverence for women or for men.

"I believe that women are not just for men's gratification but should be loved and cherished." But Philip Toomey, retail marketing manager for Ann Summers, said the 'sexy' company is geared toward people having fun.

He said: "That is the priest's religious perspective.

"Whether we attract superficial feelings or not we are there for fun and customers buy our goods in the spirit for which they are intended."

"We describe ourselves as passion and fashion. We like to think we have something for everybody and we hope we will have success in Preston."

The new store, to be unveiled on October 17, is to be situated in Fishergate, at the junction of Cheapside.

A Church of England spokesman declined to comment.