Members of the Guyhirn Action Group are making a last ditch effort to prevent the two-storey building from opening in the summer.

Entrepreneur Tony Ibrahim bought the former Little Chef restaurant premises, in Guyhirn, near Wisbech, last year, and is now renovating it to become an adult store called Kiss Kiss.

But Guyhirn Action Group member Paul Carpenter fears the presence of a sex shop is unnecessary and will deter families from moving to the area.

The father-of-one, who is a self-employed computer analyst, said: "We have lost many of our community facilities and in return we get a sex shop. This really isn't sending the right message.

"Currently the application is for a sex shop, it is unlikely with the investment made so far that it will not end there, a bar, live performances and lap dancing will be next on the agenda, a sex shop alone is unlikely to provide sufficient return on investment.

"It is totally out of character for the area and which local residents want a sex shop on their doorstep? Who is going to use it?"

Today, Mr Ibrahim said the action group members were "taking Fenland backwards" and the shop would benefit the community when it opens. He revealed this could be as early as July.

Father-of-three Mr Ibrahim has experience in the industry as he ran a small adult-only shop at the rear of a service station at Thorney Toll until 2006.

He said: "We want it to be right. There will be a licensed adult shop upstairs, and a women's lingerie store on the ground floor.

"We know people who live in the Wisbech area who want something specific will travel to King's Lynn or Peterborough for it. They are going out of their area and giving business to someone else."

"We ran an adult shop for three years in Thorney Toll and never had one single problem. We had more problems with people driving off without paying for their petrol."

Fenland District Council confirmed the application had been lodged.

The action group is holding a public meeting inside Guyhirn village hall on Thursday, at 7pm.

n Written objections to the plans should be sent to Lin Bagwell, Principal Licensing Officer, Fenland District Council, Fenland Hall, County Road, March, PE15 8NQ, by May 19.