TOWN leaders are calling for a crusade against television programmes they claim are eroding moral values.

Ilkley parish councillor Audrey Brand is warning parents of planned new programmes on Channel 4 about teenage sexuality, and calling for fellow councillors and Ilkley residents to write to local MPs about the content of mainstream television shows.

She hit out in particular at Channel 4's planned Adult at 14 season which is expected to feature programmes examining teenage sexuality.

The programmes planned include documentary Age of Consent, in which a presenter argues that sex should be legalised for 14-year-olds, Porn to be Young, a documentary asking young people their views towards pornography, and 14 Alone, in which teenagers will be allowed to spend five days and nights in a house without supervision.

Channel 4 says sex in the house will, however, be banned, as the teenagers are under the legal age of consent.

Forthcoming Channel 4 programming schedules are also likely to include Pornography: The Musical, in which real-life sex workers will sing about their working lives.

Councillor Brand said: "I was appalled and have great concern about this. The police, teaching staff and parents are concerned about the amount of pornography allowed to infiltrate on the Internet, magazines and television. Most children and young people have their own television sets, and often there's no parental supervision of these, so children are open to looking at whatever they wish to see on television.

"I've found that Channel 4 is proposing a controversial new season. If we have programmes like this on television it could be almost encouraging children and young people that this is the thing to do. "

She wants to make Ilkley parents aware of the programmes, but is also keen to encourage people to write to Ilkley MP Ann Cryer and Burley-in-Wharfedale MP Chris Leslie, protesting about the content of mainstream television programmes.

Councillor Kathy Best said: "Our children are not allowed to be children any more."

Another councillor asked if Ilkley Parish Council should publicise Channel 4's programmes further by spreading the message to parents.

A spokeswoman for Channel 4 said : "I can assure you the season is opening debate, and the fact is that young people under 14 are having sex. It's something that parents, teachers and children themselves will have to face, and this is bringing it into the open."