THOSE who have lambasted the opening of a new saucy lingerie store in Worcester should "wake up" to the 21st century, according to many Evening News readers.

In an influx of responses to Saturday's news that Ann Summers would be opening in the High Street in January, the city's "fuddy-duddy prudes" have been told to stop getting their knickers in a twist and whip up a frenzy about something important.

In particular, the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Gareth Jones' hearty disapproval, got quite a few hot under the collar.

"This is just another example of the upper-class snobbery we find in England," said one.

"He really should stop moaning, use his influence elsewhere, and put it to good use."

And the stack of responses were not limited to 20 or 30-somethings. Many of the newspaper's more mature readers agreed the shop, famous for its Rampant Rabbit vibrator, Dirty Stopover Kit and its risque home parties, would not be detrimental to the Faithful City.

"Surely it's better to have the shop occupied and trading rather than to have it stand empty for ages and become an eyesore," said one St John's resident, responding to the Mayor.

"Who knows, it might even have the effect of drawing people into the High Street who'll then see the splendid Grade I listed Guildhall you preside over."

One Bromsgrove reader found the news particularly uplifting.

Healthy

"Ann Summers has revolutionised the sex industry, which has always been typified by men in macs going into 'private' shops," she said.

"All adults in committed relationships should be able to enjoy a healthy sex life and, if this is helped by the use of toys and lingerie, then so be it.

"It's about time women were allowed to enjoy the act of making love.

"They should not 'lie there and think of England' as many of our mothers and grandmothers were taught."

And another woman added: "At 67, I still find Worcester a very Victorian city.

"Wake up! It's the 21st Century, not the Middle Ages.

"My motto is, you should try everything in life just once.

"If you don't like it, then you don't do it again."