A subtle new sex-toy collection will bring joy to dating couples who aren't keen on the "phallic" products found in high-street stores.

That's what electronic experts at Philips reckon, as their range of Intimate Massagers hits shelves in Boots, Selfridges and Amazon, among others.

According to Brand Republic, the firm's advertising campaign for the racy relationship aids will assume an educational tone rather than veer into saucy territory to explain how they work and how they can help.

"Research shows that a third of people in the UK are open to experimenting, but don't like the phallic products on the market and don't like the places where they are sold," a spokesperson explained to the website.

With Philips' non-penetrative his 'n' hers gadgets resembling nothing more shocking than large pebbles, curious shoppers over the age of 35 are expected to give them a go.

There could well be reason in the firm's reticence too - economic analysts at Interactive Investor affirmed earlier this year that most women prefer going online to buy sex stuff, whether it's for a solo strumming session or a relationship spice injection.

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