Blackpool Borough Council want to spruce up the town's image

Offensive T-shirts, replica guns, sex toys and inflatable body parts are on a list of items which Blackpool Borough Council wants removed from shops.

They are urging businesses to sign up to a voluntary code of practice.

Lawrence James, who heads the Quality Management Initiative, said: "Some people's idea of fun is off-putting."

'We are not killjoys'

The business community, local police, trading standards and Blackpool Borough Council are all involved in the clean-up operation.

Items on the 'banned' list include obscene or offensive printing on clothing, confectionary in the shape of body parts, inflatables of an immoral or lewd nature, sex toys, knives, replica guns, swords and drugs.

Mr James explained: "We are not killjoys, but many of the items routinely on sale in the town are not appropriate for a resort which wants to welcome everyone."

Leisure Parcs and Blackpool Pleasure Beach have already signed up to the voluntary code.

Cllr Eddie Collett, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Borough Council, said: "The Blackpool Masterplan is not just about improvements to spaces and buildings - it's about a commitment to a high-quality experience too."

The initiative also covers the management of cafes, restaurants, hotels and the beach area.

Other measures will include more litter cleaning staff, better signs throughout the resort, and more varied menus and meal-times in guest houses.