A proposal by the Family Planning Association to sell sex aids through a mail order catalogue has prompted outrage among campaigners and politicians.

The FPA says the scheme could be an effective way to promote sexual health.

But family campaigners and Conservative MPs - including shadow health minister Alan Duncan - condemned the proposal as "tawdry and wholly inappropriate".

Part of the remit of the FPA - an organisation partly funded by the government - is to "advance sexual health".

In a statement, the association said that the plan for a catalogue which would sell sex toys and condoms, could be an effective way of meeting its remit provided clear instructions were provided on how to use the products safely.

"These aids are for people who have a need for products that will help them lead a full and enjoyable sex life, which is part of good sexual health," the statement said.

"The FPA has sought the advice of a number of other groups which have experience in psycho-sexual health. From these discussions it is clear that there is a need for the de-stigmatisation of the use of sex aids and for people to gain access to these products without having to go to a retail outlet.

" Under the plans, the FPA's trading company Family Planning Sales would market a catalogue aimed at men and women.

A spokeswoman said: "We have had calls from people who say they could benefit from such a service and that it what we are responding to.

"There are people who do not, for one reason or another, want to go into the sort of retail outlet that traditionally offers these services.

"This scheme is still in the very early stages of planning and is still under discussion.

" She said the catalogue would offer condoms of various sorts, and sex toys, but not videos or costumes.

"As part of its remit to advance sexual health the FPA considers this will be a beneficial service to supply people with appropriate sexual aids along with clear instructions on how these products can be used safely.

"These aids are for people who have a need for products that will help them lead a full and enjoyable sex life which is part of good sexual health.

" The spokeswoman said that the catalogue would be available to anyone over the age of sexual consent.

Conservative MP Julian Brazier said: "I think this is a wholly inappropriate thing for a charitable body to be involved in.

"The whole thing seems to be a very tawdry affair and I think it is slightly absurd for the FPA to say it is doing this as part of its remit to advance sexual health - that seems a bit of a lame excuse." .

Mr Duncan urged the FPA to reconsider and added: "If they do go ahead it is something I would strongly disapprove of.

" Valerie Riches, deputy director of Family Youth Concern, said: "I think this is not appropriate or excusable at all, but I am not surprised because the FPA already gives out contraception via mail order.

" The Department of Health said FP Sales was an entirely separate self-financing arm of the FPA.

"As we understand it the FPA is considering ethical and discreet means of providing sex aids to enable disabled people and people with pyscho-sexual problems to enjoy their sexuality."