Ann Summers recently won the right to recruit in Jobcentres

Jon Heckford rejected the chance of an interview once he became aware the job vacancy was being offered by the Ann Summers chain and would involve selling sex toys and lingerie.

He feared he could lose his benefits by refusing to attend an interview - but today, the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) said "sorry" and confirmed Mr Heckford would not be penalised.

The MP for Poole, Robert Syms (Conservative), believes the case has highlighted a failing in the DWP system and has called for a code of conduct to be introduced for the advertising of sex jobs in recruitment centres.

It was a mistake, a human error and we have put it right Guy Tompkins Jobcentre manager

Mr Heckford expressed an interest at his local jobcentre on 18 August in a sales assistant's vacancy with the Gold Group in Bournemouth.

"They were able to tell me the vacancy was working in retail and was for someone who had good customer skills - but nothing beyond that whatsoever," Mr Heckford recalled.

"Obviously, I wanted to know as much as possible so that I could put in as detailed an application as possible.

"I just so happened to be speaking to friends about the job, and one of them knew it would involve working for Ann Summers."

Passion and fashion

The so-called "passion and fashion" chain has been able to recruit staff through the DWP since winning a High Court challenge in July.

Due to moral objections, Mr Heckford refused to attend the interview he was offered.

But once an applicant has asked about a job, they are obliged to go ahead and pursue the application. If they do not their benefits may be stopped.

Now, almost four weeks after he was sent for a job he was not suited for, he has received an apology from his local job centre.

Guy Tompkins, the manager there, told BBC News Online on Friday: "It was a mistake, a human error and we have put it right.

"It is the policy of Jobcentre Plus to tell (any job applicant) the nature of a job. And when there's a vacancy in the sex industry, the customer has the option of declining that vacancy.

"This decision will not affect entitlement benefits".