Durex condom maker SSL, which also makes sex toys, had been in discussion with Boots over providing products.

"We have had lots of feedback about it from customers and our own people and we just decided it wasn't for us," a Boots spokesman said.

Boots has been expanding into new lines as it faces rising competition among the beauty and health product sector.

On Wednesday, the retailer said its sales over the Christmas trading period were up 2.6% on a like-for-like basis.

Shops selling sex toys have become more common on UK High Streets.

Ann Summers, which claims 70% of its customers are ABC1 women, has 117 branches and last year had a turnover of £110m ($205m).