THE Christian Institute will today launch a High Court bid to thwart plans for a sexually explicit exhibition in Newcastle.

The institute is attacking Newcastle City Council's decision last month to grant a sex establishment licence to Xsensual Limited to put on the exhibition which is set to include almost 100 stalls, a floor show and lap dancing displays.

Xsensual booked Newcastle's Telewest Arena for the show - billed as Xsensual 2000 - to be staged Friday to Sunday.

The institute says the event will include a stage show, a restricted access lap dancing lounge and 92 stalls.

Charles Holland, counsel for the institute, told the High Court in London last week: "There is clear evidence and a clear threat that Xsensual are going to let out stalls to third parties who are going to use those stalls to sell sex articles and other items.

"The conditions place on Xsensual's licence do not allow the council to know the identity of the stallholders or to exercise any degree of control over them."

The institute's judicial review challenge is listed to be heard today by Mr Justice Collins.