A bawdy poster publicising an am-dram group’s new comedy has been banned by the council.

Croydon-based Exit Theatre amateur dramatics group printed 5,000 postcards and more than 100 posters for their play Anybody for Murder? but was left shocked when

target="_blank">Sutton Council ordered the group to censor advertising fearing residents could be “offended” by a photo of a woman showing her cleavage.

The council said the image of actress Red Cook in a swimming costume coming out of the water was “inappropriate”. The group has not experienced any problems in the past, despite using similar images on advertising posters.

The play’s director David Trotter pleaded to the council to reconsider, insisting the poster was not intended to offend. He said the photo and play were nothing but harmless fun.

The group was forced to reprint posters with the title covering over what the council described as “the offending area”. Stickers saying “not to be missed” were put over it on postcards.

Mr Trotter said: “We were really surprised when the council said it had concerns about the image being inappropriate. It’s a comedy, not a racy, provocative play. I’ve seen more explicit images on the sides of buses.”

Anybody for Murder?, set on a Greek island, is about greedy Max’s plan to murder his naive wife Janet to collect her life insurance and enjoy the easy life with his girlfriend, Suzy. But plans and plots hatch, and soon everyone is bent on murder.

Councillor Graham Tope said: “Exit Theatre made changes to its posters and leaflets following advice from the council and the amended versions are now being used to promote the play.”

Anybody for Murder? is at the Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, Carshalton from February 17 to 20. Call the box office on 020 8770 6990.