Kathy Sutton, who runs Secret Desires in Rowlands Road, Worthing, was responding to a letter in the Herald criticising the "bedroom paraphernalia" on show.

Until January this year, the window was covered with blue screens, but after the borough council refused to grant her a licence, Ms Sutton removed them.

She said: "We've not received any other direct complaints, so I'm a bit confused as to why this letter has come so late on.

"The council have been down to see it and they agreed it was perfectly legal."

Ms Sutton has had two applications for a licence, which would allow her to sell uncensored DVDs, turned down by the council.

Until the second rejection, she ran Secret Desires as though it was licensed, including having the windows covered up and a policy of not allowing under 18s inside.

But after being rejected, Ms Sutton started running as an unlicensed premises, which she is legally entitled to.

This meant uncovering the windows and allowing people of all ages to shop there, subject to the manager's discretion.

Ms Sutton said: "I'm in the business of running licensed sex shops, that would be my preference, but I'm a businesswoman, so if this is going to make money then I'm going to do it.

"Despite people's claims, house prices in the road have continued to rise and have not been affected by us being here.

"And our trade is up about 30 per cent since we changed the window because people feel more comfortable coming in as they can see some of the things we sell.

"We do get teenagers coming in, but it's been a positive thing as they often ask our trained staff questions they are too embarrassed to ask elsewhere and we promote safe sex.

"I have to wait a year after the last rejection but I will apply for a licence again, so I don't think this is going to be the end of it."