AN EROTIC Christmas gift containing a pocket-sized copy of the Kama Sutra could end up being a total turn-off for Bolton lovers. For sensual massage oil included with the novelty may cause a painful rash.

The miniature copy of the Indian sex manual was being sold for £8 in WH Smith stores around the country.

In Bolton, 18 of the packs were sold, accompanied by the blood red 50ml bottle of scented massage oil.

But two couples in other parts of the country complained about the product when the dye in the oil turned their sheets red.

When the oil, designed to be used in conjunction with the manual, was sent to an independent laboratory for testing, scientists found it also caused irritation on what WH Smith have described as "sensitive parts of the body."

The company has issued a product recall after selling some 3,000 of the Christmas packs because of concern that couples who had bought one as a cheeky present for their partner could end up red and raw. Even though nobody has yet complained in Bolton, the store manager of the town centre branch, Chris Price, says any of the packs already bought can be taken to the store for a full refund without proof of purchase as they are all stamped with the WH Smith brand logo.

The remaining six packs on the shelves were removed earlier this week.

A spokeswoman said: "The massage oil in the pack may cause irritation to sensitive parts of the body which have mucus membranes.

"It also contains a red dye which may stain some fabrics, particularly cotton. As a precautionary measure WH Smith have decided to recall this product."

She added that their advice was for customers to avoid or stop using the massage oil and return the pack to their nearest store.

WH Smith said it was unlikely anyone would have to seek medical attention because of the irritation and said the reaction would be immediate on contact with the skin. The spokeswoman said that the product had been specially bought for the Christmas trade and was intended to be used as a personal present between couples.

The company said the "intimate" nature of the oil's intended use was the reason for such concern over its side effects.

WH Smith today "apologised for the inconvenience this may cause" and said the pocket version of the Kama Sutra was still on sale in stores - minus the oil - with another larger copy.

The text, which features depictions of couples contorting their bodies into various sexual positions, is a version of the original Sanscrit transcript which was written almost 2,000 years ago by the Indian scholar Vatsyayana.

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