Protests fail to stop capital's erotic festival

THE programme for an adults- only festival in Edinburgh was unveiled yesterday despite a storm of protest over the event.

Some of the porn industry’s most famous stars are to fly in for the three-day Festival Erotique next month.

The Scottish erotic dance group Femme Erotique and London’s Fantasy Boys have also joined the line-up for the event from 29 to 31 August.

Fetish fashion shows will be staged and erotic art shows and live adult entertainment are to be laid on for visitors.

A range of adult movies will be previewed at a cinema at the festival, which is to be held at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange.

There will also be an "adult shoppers’ paradise" with sex toys, sex aids, adult DVDs, magazines and videos on sale.

Festival organisers welcomed Edinburgh City Council’s decision to give the event the go-ahead.

A spokesman said: "If this type of event is good enough for London, Manchester, Brighton, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas and cities across Europe, it is good enough for Edinburgh and Scotland.

"This live adult expo, the first of its kind in Scotland, is a must-be-there event for open-minded, adventurous or just curious adults."

Scottish Women Against Pornography had sought to have the event’s licensing application thrown out.

However, council chiefs gave the event their approval but said it would be monitored closely.