A risqué film poster outside a Welwyn Garden City cinema has had to be removed after complaints from members of the public.

The raunchy advertisement for forthcoming movie Fifty Shades of Grey was on display on the front of the council-owned Garden City Cinema, on the Campus West roundabout.

It depicted the head and shoulders of a seemingly naked woman – star Dakota Johnson, playing eager-to-please Anastasia Steele – blindfolded, topless and apparently in the throes of passion during a kinky sex scene.

The poster, also bearing the Welwyn Hatfield Council logo, was on display outside the recently refurbished leisure complex.

The hotly-awaited movie, which comes out on February 14, is based on the steamy bestseller by E L James.

A spokesman for the Garden City Cinema said: “We are very sorry if we caused any offence to anyone.

“The film is set to be a huge blockbuster and is already selling well with us, even though it doesn’t open until Valentine’s Day 2015.

“The poster reflects the erotic nature of the film and was not explicit, but we understand if some people have taken offence.”

The billboard, which had been up for a week, was replaced with one advertising Christmas hit, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.

As well as the three-screen Garden City Cinema, the Campus West entertainment complex also houses the Hawthorne Theatre, RollerCity and SoftPlayCity.