A council is drawing up a policy which will decide whether to grant licences to sex shops.

There are currently no licensed sex shops, sex cinemas or sexual entertainment venues in Braintree district.

But Braintree Council is creating new guidelines to deal with any future applications.

Local authorities have the power to grant or refuse requests based on the proposed location, for instance if it is near community facilities, or the suitability of the applicant.

A licence would cost a new applicant £2,136.

Braintree Council’s licensing committee is due to discuss the policy at a meeting tonight.