Sophie brews up a storm in a D-cup

SUPERMODEL Sophie Dahl was ordered to cover up by the Mayor of Ballina after a storm in a D-cup split opinion in the Mayo town.

A large poster of a naked Ms Dahl, advertising Opium perfume, was on display in the front window of Ward’s pharmacy in Ballina town centre, before mayor Ray Collins demanded it be censored.

The provocative picture, which showed the voluptuous model sprawled naked on a pedestal, sparked a furious reaction from some people who found it offensive. Even the gardaí received calls about Sophie’s pose.

Independent Mayor Collins was especially worried the lovely Sophie could affect some impressionable minds, but he insisted he’s not the town’s moral guardian.

“People were complaining about the nude woman in Ward’s and they told me that I should do something about it.

“You have to draw the line somewhere with this kind of thing. They should have just shown her lovely face,” Mr Collins said.

He said people shopping with their children were embarrassed by the poster and many felt the unclothed Sophie wasn’t suitable viewing for the festive season.

The high-profile intervention of Mr Collins forced pharmacist Padraig Ward to cover Sophie’s breasts with a sign that reads: “By order of the Mayor.”

“When he rang and told me to get rid of Sophie, I knew I had to do something, so I covered her boobs with the sign for a bit of fun,” Mr Ward said.

The move hasn’t been welcomed by everyone and it seems many had taken Sophie to their bosom.

“Since we put up the censoring sign a lot of dismayed men have complained. They said they used to feast their eyes on her every day and the poster helped cheer them up. Some women were also annoyed by the censorship,” he said.

The majority of the complaints against the poster came from women aged in their late 30’s and early 40’s, Mr Ward said.

It was also revealed last night that Sophie will be taken down for Christmas to make room for more seasonal decorations, but she’ll be back in the new year.

“I can guarantee that Sophie and some of her beautiful friends will return in 2003. It’s a very good piece of art that deserves to be seen. She’s going to a good home for Christmas,” Mr Ward said.