Swedish chambermaids are calling for protection against male hotel guests who get overexcited after watching pornography on television.

The maids, members of the Swedish hotel workers' federation (Hotell Fackets Staddelegation) in Stockholm, want to have alarms they can use in case of an attack.

They are also demanding that they be allowed to work in pairs.

A spokesman for the federation said: "Chambermaids are always having to come face to face with overexcited guests watching porn movies. Some of the chambermaids become scared and can't handle it."

Their calls for protection coincide with a plea from Swedish equality minister Margareta Winberg that Swedish politicians boycott hotels where pornography is shown on television.

Prime Minister Goran Persson has said he will look into the issue.