Melbourne, April 5 : Family groups have called for radio stations to play explicit songs by artists such as Britney Spears and Lily Allen in restricted time slots.

Angry parents have swamped the Australian Family Association with complaints about risque hits on the radio.

They are furious about primetime airplay given to Spears'' hit If You Seek Amy and Allen''s songs Not Fair and F*** You.

Ken Francis, president of Australian Family Association Queensland, said the radio stations were being irresponsible.

"There are many parents who are concerned about what is being played on the radio. Radio has a responsibility for the wellbeing of children and teens who listen. I really don''t understand why those sexually explicit songs need to be played at all," the Courier Mail quoted Francis, as saying.

The association wants songs with explicit lyrics to be played only after 10pm. Another option would be to give warnings that the station has controversial or explicit content.

Nova 100 FM is playing If You Seek Amy and Not Fair. It plays F*** You after 8.30pm.

Austereo is playing Not Fair and a clean version of the Spears track. It is not playing F*** You.

Radio music directors say they are taking the right measures.

Estelle Paterson, of Nova, said: "The Britney song isn''t swearing. It''s a cheeky play on words. If we had to ban that song until late evening, we''d have to do the same with most songs we play.”

Scott Baker-Smith, of Austereo, knew the potential controversy surrounding the Spears hit.

"By playing the censored version of Britney''s track, we feel we have taken appropriate measures," he said.

However, the Australian Family Association says Allen and Spears'' hits are destructive. (ANI)