Councillors in Edinburgh are poised to make a decision on whether or not to allow a taxi to carry advertising for two stores which sell "adult" clothes and sex aids.

The city council is to rule on whether or not an all-over advertisement planned for a single taxi is too explicit.

There is concern that slogans like "More fun than fantasy football" could offend public taste.

The owner of the shops insists that the stores are boutiques and not sex shops.

The advert, which is to be painted onto a city taxi, is designed to publicise what are being are being called "adult toys and clothes".

Potential for 'offence'

Inspector Murdo MacIver, of Lothian and Borders Police's Cab Office, said slogans like "Feel the good vibrations at Leather and Lace" could be held to contain sexual or controversial text

He said the advert had the potential to offend public taste and as such he could not support its introduction.

Councillors will be presented with a second police report which suggests there is no Scottish case law on what is a sex article.

There is an allied issue of whether the premises concerned are sex shops or - as their owner argues - boutiques.

The issue will be debated on Friday and councillors will consider whether the suggested displays are inappropriate.