A restaurant is hoping to make people smile with a joking sign in their window – but some neighbours are outraged calling it ‘disgusting’ and ‘inappropriate’.

As Valentine’s Day is this weekend, Mirzan Restaurant, in Aycliffe Road, Borehamwood, decided to place a sign in their window offering a ‘free condom for couples’.

The restaurant, which is well-known in the area, put the sign in their window to make people smile and to cheer them up but it is not for everyone.

Erdal Olcay, owner of the restaurant, said: “I don’t think it is inappropriate because condoms are being sold in the shops and sex is being taught in schools.

“It is just to make people smile and we wanted to cheer people up and to make them happy. It is not supposed to be rude.”

Despite the attempts to make people smile, the sign has made neighbours have different opinions on the sign.

John Brenda, of Leeming Road, said: “It’s a funny idea. People will be protected against diseases.”

Another neighbour, Mrs Devro, thought it seemed odd but it also promoted protected sex.

She said: “If they are promoting condoms then I am all for it. It will stop young girls getting pregnant. But it still seems a bit odd.”

Other members of the public were less inclined to accept the joke. Some described it as being ‘inappropriate’, ‘disgusting’ and ‘appalling to advertise sexual merchandise in public’.

One neighbour, Amber, from Borehamwood, had her friend drive past the restaurant twice as she could not believe what she saw.

She said: “I think it’s disgusting. It’s wrong and inappropriate to have it in the window with children walking past. It’s not English at all.”