New guidelines issued by the government over the display of so-called 'lads mags' have been welcomed by the news trade.

The guidelines recommend titles such as Nuts, Zoo, Loaded and FHM are placed on shelves out of direct sight and reach of children if they carry sexually explicit covers or content. Industry chiefs believe an appropriate middle ground has been found.

Hamdy Shahein, who owns Hamdy's newsagents in Stoke Newington, London, agrees with the guidelines and already has a policy for such magazines. "I've had a policy of putting magazines such as Nuts and Loaded on the top shelves for some time," said Hamdy. "I also place them so customers can only see the titles, not the images.

"People still buy the magazines and I don't have a problem with that. I also put the Sunday Sport on the higher shelves as I believe it's an adult paper. Customers are pleased with my decision."

Association of News Retailing managing director John Lennon also welcomed the guidelines. "They make sense and are very necessary," he said.