A SEX shop at the centre of a row with rival businesses has had graffiti daubed on its walls by vandals opposed to its presence.

The exterior of Cherry Pie, on King Street, Darlington, has had "Get out ya not wanted" sprayed on its walls.

Its owners believe it was targeted in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The shop has not been welcomed by existing sex shops in the town.

One paid for a public notice in The Northern Echo, which read: "Does Darlington need another sex shop? Sunderland has none and apparently no other town in the North-East has more than three."

Cherry Pie is the fourth adult store in Darlington town centre - but its joint owner, Jez Grant, said he did want to be involved in squabbles.

"We were upset by the graffiti," he said yesterday.

"We don't want to get involved in battles with other stores - it's not what were about - but we were upset.

Whoever has done this, it's going a bit far. We expected a couple of complaints to the (Darlington Borough Council's planning) committee, but not this."

Mr Grant said the market would decide which shops prospered. Cherry Pie sells costumes, lingerie, and novelty items, and hopes to gain a licence to sell DVDs soon.

"We wouldn't do that to Ann Summers if they opened a store in town," he said.

"We are going to stay here and stand our ground - we will leave it up the customers.

"They say do we need four sex shops, but do we need four pizza shops, four Chinese restaurants?

"We don't want to upset people - were just doing what were doing."

Mr Grant also urged the shop's supporters to make their feelings clear to the council.

He said: "We have had a lot of people coming into the shop, saying they support us - so it would be nice if they could let the council know."

The council covered up the graffiti and will have it painted over.

The police confirmed yesterday they are investigating. There are at least four security cameras that could cover the vandalised wall.