AN Angel of the North with a difference helped the country's leading women's sex store chain open its latest North-East store.

Luci Victoria, the face of Ann Summers, donned a nurse's outfit for the launch of the company's shop in the Green Mall, at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead.

Ann Summers, famous for its sex toys, sensuous lingerie and house parties, has sales of £140m a year and has 117 high street stores across the country.

In this region, it has outlets in Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and York.

The firm's chief executive, Jacqueline Gold, whose philosophy is to encourage women to feel good about themselves and their sexuality, said: "The North-East has proved to be hugely successful for Ann Summers.

"So following the demand, it was only a matter of time before we opened another store.

"And it is true what they say, the further north you go, the more up for it people are.