LOS ANGELES (AFP) — An animal rights television commercial featuring former Playboy centerfold Pamela Anderson has been deemed too racy for US airports, a statement said Wednesday 9 September.

Photo: AFP

Senior officials from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said the CNN Airport Network had barred the advertisement because of concerns it could be seen by children.

The ad features former "Baywatch" star Anderson as a scantily clad airport security guard who strips passengers of leather, fur and other skins.

The ad had been due to air from September 10 in New York airports, targeting attendees from the fashion industry descending on the city for New York Fashion Week, which gets underway on Thursday 10 September.

PETA said that CNN Airport Network had said in a letter it was "particularly sensitive because children make up part of the demographic in airports."

"We're now looking to place the spot among in-flight entertainment and hope that more adventurous carriers such as Virgin take us up on it," PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews said in a statement.

Canadian-born Anderson, 42, told AFP Wednesday 9 September she would continue to speak out against fashion labels which use fur products.

"I don't think we should see any fur or animal products on the runway," she said at an event in Los Angeles. "Any business dealing with animals, you know it's corrupt. It's very cruel. If people knew the abuse that went into it.

"And it's not just the fur. It's all the animal products. But it's important to know there are alternatives to everything, even leather."