HOMOSEXUALS in the region have welcomed a new advertising campaign featuring two women kissing.

But lesbian group Women on Women believes the gay community still has a long way to go before it can become as publicly open in everyday life as the advert's portrayal.

The display is one of two posters to go on show this week in London, advertising gay Internet business Queercompany.

With the caption Thank God for women, it is the first overtly lesbian poster and has gone on show at Centrepoint, one of the capital's primary advertising sites, on one of the country's biggest billboards.

The launch comes only days after a perfume advert featuring model Sophie Dahl wearing nothing but jewellery and shoes was banned by the Advertising Standards Agency.

As well as the lesbian poster, Queercompany has launched a similar design, featuring two men embracing alongside the slogan Thank God for men.

Sandy Cleminson, who runs Darlington's Women on Women, welcomed the posters, but said: "Perhaps some people in the gay community, the lasses, might think 'do they have to do that'.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's getting over a point that lesbians do exist and we have a life.

"Why shouldn't it be there? I do feel that open-mindedness with lesbian and gay communities has come a long way, but it's nowhere near where it should be.

"Lesbian and gay communities are part of the wider community and they are just never accepted."

Although she believes such a campaign could help promote openness in the community, she said: "I think we are a long way from that myself.

The Queercompany images will also appear on Tube platforms and billboards.

Henrietta Morrison, joint founder and chief executive officer of Queercompany, said: "We are delighted with, and very proud of, the new ads.

"The photographs are beautiful images of lesbians and gay men, and are not designed to be controversial or offensive.

"This is the first time that queer people will have seen their lives and lifestyles portrayed in mainstream advertising.

"We hope the wider audience who will see these ads on billboards and tube platforms will respond positively to the sensitivity and honesty of the couples portrayed.