Are coffee shop nudes tasteless?

The exhibition, by Huddersfield-based artist John Coombes, will hang in Blue Minelle, Fossgate, for another week, after the closing date was extended.

But some local people have commented on the paintings, with some people comparing the images to pornography.

One customer in the Blue Bell pub, opposite the coffee shop gallery, who asked not to be named said: "Some are all right, but some aren't.

"I think there would be some complaints because kids go past, and some look like they're from a porn magazine."

Another customer, whose tongue was firmly in his cheek, said: "They're disgusting."

But landlord Jim Hardie was more enthusiastic. He said: "There's nothing wrong with them. There should be more of them - every shop should have one."

Andrea Lewandowski, from Signatures of York, also on Fossgate, said: "It's done great things for our trade, because whenever people stop there they come over to Signatures.

"If it stops people going straight up the street and looking at all the businesses, then we think it's marvellous."

Pamela Brown, from nearby Long Tall Sally, said: "I was a bit shocked, a bit surprised.

"They are right in the window, I wouldn't want to have to look at them while I was in there drinking a cup of tea."

Her colleague, Liz Fieldhouse, said: "My daughter would be quite embarrassed by that, she's 11.

"It's a bit like Page 3, but you don't have to go and buy The Sun, whereas you can't miss that."

But not everyone had a strong reaction to the exhibition. Susan McGill, from Miniature Scene, in Fossgate, said: "I haven't even noticed them. I can't see it being a problem."

David Rose, who owns the Blue Minelle, together with Sarah Brownbridge, said there had been no complaints about the exhibition, and two of the paintings had already been sold.

He said: "Yes, we realise that they could shock, but the artist stresses that he is not out to shock, and merely paints as he sees."

Updated: 10:37 Saturday, November 17, 2001