Art and design tutors at Mid-Cheshire College, Northwich, were shocked to learn the local employment centre had decided to stop displaying ads for life models for fear of offending job-seekers.

The Job Centre has accepted the adverts for 20 years - supplying the college with a stream of models, of varied ages, shapes and sizes.

Now the college, whose arts and design department was awarded Grade One status in a recent inspection report, has to explore other more costly methods to recruit models for its 500 students and visiting school pupils.

Sue Ainsworth, head of art and design, said: “This decision is scandalous. It is going back into the dark ages. But this is the 21st century.”

She criticised the Job Centre for confusing life drawing - the underlying “fundamental” of all drawing - with lewdness.

“We are talking about art,” said Mrs Ainsworth. “A life model is a very reputable profession, but they have made it appear to be something very seedy. It is not as though this is lap-dancing.

“I also find it dispiriting that one government agency is undermining the work of another. Moreover, it is going to be more expensive for us to place adverts elsewhere, and we have not got the funds.

“It is not just us that this decision will affect; it is every art school and university in the country.”

An Employment Service spokesman confirmed its policy is “not to accept vacancies that involve any degree of nudity - including artistic andor life models”.

He said: “We have a duty to protect those who might object to such adverts. People claiming Jobseekers Allowance have an obligation to apply for jobs, and we would not want anyone to feel obliged to consider jobs of this nature.

“No judgment on the respectability of the work is in any way implied by our policy in this area.”

Adam James