SEX education films shown in schools should have the same age ratings as Hollywood movies, a county MP has claimed.

In April this year, a group of about 40 parents met at the Guildhall in Northampton to express concern that sex education films shown to children in schools were sometimes too graphic.

They raised particular objections to cartoons showing graphic depictions of people having sex and other sexual acts.

The Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire, Andrea Leadsom, raised the issue in the House of Commons at the time and has now called for the films to be classed by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), meaning they would be given age ratings.

She said: “By dealing with a challenging issue in a logical way, we can do our best to protect the interests of our young people.

“We can get back to the aim of sex and relationship education, to teach our children to look after themselves and form healthy relationships in a safe environment in the future when they are emotionally ready to do so.”

After the parents’ meeting in Northampton, the group pledged to “bombard” the county’s MPs and councillors with letters expressing their concerns about sex education videos.

Mrs Leadsom, who is a mother of three, said she could understand the concerns felt by many parents.

She said: “It is an emotive subject. Opinions are strong and passionately held.

“I have an enormous sympathy with the desire to protect the young from inappropriate material and believe that most teachers and governors have the interests of their pupils at heart.

“The question is where to draw the line. What is the right age to begin sex and relationship education and what is the right material to be showing our young people?”