The battle has led to Catherine Manning and her husband Steve being barred from the Cardinia General Store.

Ms Manning said she didn't want her four primary school and preschool-aged children exposed to the images and language on the covers of People and The Picture magazines, which are sold in the store.

The magazines, which are classified M (mature) unrestricted, have no restrictions on their display in retail outlets.

More explicit material has to be wrapped and may be restricted to buyers older than 18.

But Ms Manning said eroticised images of spread-legged women coupled with explicit headlines were not fit for minors' eyes.

"My issue isn't to vilify [the store owner]. He's within his legal rights to display them wherever he likes in the store.

"The censorship board needs to crack down [on this material]."

She said her children knew the magazines were rude but were too young to understand the subtext of the images.

"It's porn - it's obvious what it is. Kids shouldn't be exposed to it."

Ms Manning and her husband have been banned from the store after having a letter published in a newspaper about the store's magazine display.

When contacted, the store owner didn't wish to comment officially.

Ms Manning's stance was backed by Melbourne mother Julie Gale, who heads a group Kids Free 2B Kids that has campaigned against more explicit magazines being sold illegally in convenience stores.

"It's certainly an issue that is starting to get up more people's noses," Ms Gale said.

"The great thing about Catherine is that she decided to speak up about it."

Cardinia Primary School, which is opposite the Cardinia General Store, hasn't received complaints about the magazines' display.

Principal Allan Armstrong had no issue with the store but sympathised with Ms Manning's argument about the classification of adult magazines.

"As a state or a community, we may need to see if they are being classified correctly."

People magazine was contacted but did not respond to the Journal's calls.

The Classifications Board stated that minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them and particular attention was paid to the suitability of covers of magazines.

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