News In Briefs

A "sexy" pole-dancing kit has been pulled from the toys and games section of a website run by Britain's biggest retailer after protests from outraged parents.
 The Peekaboo pole-dancing kit, which has a "sexy garter" to help "unleash the sex kitten inside" was sold in Tesco Direct's toys and games section, The Daily Mail reported.
 "Soon you'll be flaunting it to the world and earning a fortune in Peekaboo Dance Dollars," its blurb reads.
 "Unleash the sex kitten inside ... simply extend the Peekaboo pole inside the tube, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go!"
 The £50 ($125) kit includes a 2.6-metre chrome pole, a "sexy dance garter" and a DVD demonstrating suggestive dance moves, the report said.
 However, family campaigners slammed the kit's status as a toy, saying it would "destroy children's lives".
 "It is an open invitation to turn the youngest children on to sexual behaviour," Dr Adrian Rogers of the Family First group told The Daily Mail.
 "This will be sold to four-, five- and six-year olds. This is a most dangerous toy that will contribute towards destroying children's innocence.
 "Children are being encouraged to dance round a pole, which is interpreted in the adult world as a phallic symbol.
 "This should only be available to the most depraved people who want to corrupt their children."
 The Daily Mail report said Tesco had removed the kit from the toys and games area of its site, but would still sell it as a "fitness accessory".
 The retailer denied the pole-dancing kit was sexually oriented and it was clearly marked for adult use.
 "Pole dancing is an increasing exercise craze. This item is for people who want to improve their fitness and have fun at the same time," a spokesman said.
 Other British retailers had been forced to remove sexually suggestive children's products from their shelves, including padded bras with a "Little Miss Naughty" logo, the report said.
smh.com.au