27 May 2010 Last updated at 09:01 ET

Bum's rush for cheeky Reebok taxi advert

The Reebok advert has been used around the world

A taxi advert for new Reebok trainers has been refused by councillors in Glasgow because it was deemed too racy and contained the word "bum".

The EasyTone running shoes advert showed woman's legs with the slogan: "Better Legs And Bum With Every Step".

The city council's licensing and regulatory committee voted against it.

A director from applicant Greaves Sports was also removed from the meeting after saying taxi ads promoting lap dancing bars had been allowed.

Stephen McCranor, director of communications at Greaves Sports, also pointed out that taxi adverts for holiday companies featured bikini-clad woman, and adverts for council-run gymnasiums even featured the word "bum".

The advert would have been displayed on Glasgow taxis

He said his comments did not go down well with one councillor opposed to the application who asked him to stop talking.

When he continued to challenge the points being made, he was escorted from the meeting.

"It's extremely disappointing that a multi-million pound campaign which is acceptable in major cities all over the world is deemed unacceptable by a Glasgow City Council committee, a campaign advertising training shoes," said Mr McCranor.

"The committee seemed to object on moral grounds due to the use of bare legs, which is ironic when you come out of City Chambers and see taxis on the road advertising lap dancing venues.

Inappropriate image

"We're simply advertising a pair of shoes which helps tone up your legs and backside, in line with a global campaign run by Reebok."

Mr McCranor said the decision was "hugely unhelpful" in these "challenging economic times" and the council had shown a "a lack of commercial awareness and regard for one of its most established local businesses".

Councillor Gilbert Davidson, who chaired the licensing and regulatory committee meeting, said: "The committee considers each advert on its own merits and, if necessary, takes a democratic vote on whether it should be approved.

"On this occasion, the majority view was that some of the text - and also the image, which showed a pair of bare legs from just below the backside - were not appropriate."