The Co-operative in the UK has given publishers of lads’ magazines an ultimatum to cover them up in “modesty bags” or face having them removed from shelves across 4,000 stores.

The chief executive of a body representing Irish newsagents has defended a shops’ right to stock “lads’ mags” on their shelves as they are operating fully within the law.

Campaigners in the UK are warning high street retailers to remove magazines that display naked and near-naked images on their covers or face the risk of legal action.