For the long running legal bust up between Smithfield adult entertainment outlet Miss Behavin' and Belfast City Council is set for its latest chapter at the Magistrates' Court next month.

Last week, the sex shop licence saga, which has been running since May 2002, was adjourned until September 4.

The reason given in court last Tuesday was that the defence was "not ready to proceed" with the case to face a charge of "using premises as a sex establishment without a licence".

Last month, Sunday Life revealed that the owner of the Gresham Street outlet is investigating the possibility of taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

It is believed that they have until October 25, 2007 to lodge an application with the European Court.

It is the latest twist in the clash between Belfast City Council and sex shops operating in the Smithfield area.

Last April, five Law Lords unanimously overturned a 2005 judgment by the Court of Appeal in Belfast that Belfast City Council had contravened the Miss Behavin' owner's human rights and backed the decision not to grant a licence.

Last month, six Belfast city centre sex shops (excluding Miss Behavin') were fined a total of £3,000 for operating without a licence.