Police officers have ordered a shopkeeper to remove an “obscene” chair from her window.
The outrageous piece of furniture in question was decorated with images from 1950s Playboy magazines.
Officers visited the Print Room in Station Street, Lewes, after complaints from members of the public. They said the saucy seat contravened the Obscene Publications Act.
The shop owner was so bemused by the request that she has draped it with its own public health warning.
The cheeky chair was the brainchild of Laura Diez, who runs Lollipop and Pepper at the Needlemakers in West Street.
She said: “I can’t believe anyone in their right mind could actually be offended by this.
“I used 1950s Playboys which are no more scandalous than the front cover of some men’s magazines which are on show in any newsagents. There was only one burger shot and even then you couldn't see any pink."
The sign now hanging from the chair, which is for sale at £95, reads: “This chair has been deemed inappropriate for public view. Please take care and use the baby oil and tissues provided.”
Shop owner Lucy Wilkes said: “We have had almost entirely positive comments from people apart from one woman who thought it was inappropriate, which was surprising as she was obviously a tennis fan."
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Police attended a Lewes shop following a complaint from a member of the public regarding an item that was on display in the shop window. One man was so incensed that he defiled the window of the shop with an as yet unidentified substance, thought to be wallpaper paste or mayonnaise.
“The member of public was offended by the images displayed on a chair and the shop owner was politely asked by police to remove it from public view, which he voluntarily did.”
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