Selby'S leading citizen and his wife walked out halfway through a village hall play because it was too "sexually graphic".

Selby District Council chairman Wally Norton and his wife, Kath, made a quick exit at the interval when a touring company's performance of Fanny Hill at Brayton Community Centre proved a little too raunchy for their liking.

The advertising posters warned that children under 15 should be accompanied by adults, and featured a woman in a low-cut boddice.

But Mr and Mrs Norton complained afterwards that the simulated sex scenes left too little to the imagination.

Coun Norton said: "We were asked to support the event but the way it was portrayed wasn't stuff for a village hall.

"It was tongue-in-cheek but also sexually graphic and I don't think that kind of thing on stage is funny.

"By half-time we had had enough and went home for a cup of tea and a biscuit.

"You can get that sort of stuff seven days a week on TV if you switch on the right channels."

Coun Norton, a retired policeman, added: "It went beyond kissing and cuddling. Some people were laughing but whether it was out of embarrassment I'm not quite sure.

"Maybe I'm a little old-fashioned and nave."

The play was based on John Cleland's novel about the memoirs of a woman of pleasure. Written in 1748, it led to Cleland being imprisoned for publishing obscene material.

Mr Norton said: "The actors were brilliant, but a village hall play needs to be something the whole family can enjoy."

Selby's former arts and cultural development officer David Osbon, who helped arrange the event, said: "I'm surprised by Mr Norton's reaction. This was, after all, Fanny Hill and not Wind in the Willows."

Brayton Community Centre manager Harry Hoy said: "It was a bit bawdy but everybody I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it."

Roger Cook, manager of the Leeds-based Library Theatre Touring Company, said: "Brayton was offered the choice of six plays and chose Fanny Hill, described as not for the narrow-minded.

"There was no nudity and no four letter words. The sexual bits are all done for fun and are part of the play."

Updated: 14:21 Thursday, January 10, 2002