A Kent MP is supporting calls for members of the Women's Institute to help tackle sleazy adverts in local newspapers - but insists the fight should go even further.

Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe gave her backing after the Minister for Women Harriet Harman urged the WI to complain to editors if they see adverts selling sex with foreign women in the paper.

MP Harman said: "These girls are often tricked and told they can get a job in a bar or a hairdressers or a hotel. Then suddenly they discover this is not the job at all."

Miss Widdecombe responded to the comments made in the speech by pointing out most women in these adverts have been forced into prostitution after coming into the UK through Kent.

~ Audio: Miss Widdecombe gives her views to KentOnline's Chris Price >>>

The WI – the UK's largest voluntary women's organisation with 205,000 members – has already expressed an interest in helping prevent trafficking in this way.

There are an estimated 4,000 females currently living in the UK who have been trafficked and work as prostitutes.

Miss Widdecombe added: "I don't think this needs to be confined to the WI.

"A lot of people are offended by these adverts but they don't think they can do anything about it - but they can by complaining to the editor."

WI member Isla Arendell said: "Part of dealing with the problem is knowing what to look for. If there are adverts saying 'fresh girls every week' or 'exotic girls' then that should be setting off alarm bells to our members and they can then report those adverts.

"There is a possibility we could run a campaign to name and shame newspapers that persistently publish these adverts - but that is a decision for the future."

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