Web site removes youth-oriented lingerie

London -- A British lingerie company will no longer offer sexy underwear marketed to girls as young as 5 years old online, a company spokeswoman says.

The Mail on Sunday said that after it reported La Senza's focus on youth-oriented lingerie, the fashion chain pulled the offending items from its Web site.

The initial Mail report had caused British politicians and children's charities to criticize the company for sexualizing children and placing them at risk.

La Senza marketing director Lisa Bond said the company still considered the bra-like tops marketed for young girls as "entirely age-appropriate" and would continue to sell the items in its stores.

In addition, the company said it would unveil a La Senza Girl Web site this summer.

A spokesman for Kidscape, a child protection charity, told the Mail the temporary absence of the controversial items online was a step forward.

"It's a real victory for common sense," the unidentified spokesman said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.