An official ban on Ann Summers, the sex toys and lingerie chain, advertising for staff in Government job centres was yesterday condemned by the High Court as "irrational and unlawful".

A judge also ruled the policy behind the ban "does not stand up to rational scrutiny".

Describing the court's decision to quash the ban as a fantastic victory, company chief executive Jacqueline Gold said moves would begin this morning to have advertisements placed in job centres.

The ruling had important financial implications, she said, as advertising currently costs the company £250,000 a year.

The legal row began after JobCentre Plus, an executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions, introduced a policy of excluding advertisements from companies, such as Ann Summers, involved in selling sex-related products usually only available through licensed sex establishments and "not commonly found on the High Street".

Ann Summers said that, in reality, it was the only company affected by the "ridiculous" ban.

JobCentre chiefs said the aim was to save "vulnerable" job-seekers from having to apply for work at places they found embarrassing - where they also ran the risk of losing state benefits if they refused an offer of employment.