A designing duo were dumped from a TV show hours before filming because the teenage underwear they had created was deemed risqué.

Sisters Maria and Sophie Law, who run Sweetling Lingerie from a studio in the Chocolate Factory 2 in Wood Green, accused producers of having a “backward attitude” after they were dropped from the Jo Malone Brand Show – a talent contest for budding entrepreneurs presented by the woman behind the luxury fragrance house.

They were told their bras, designed specifically as starter bras for young teenagers with no underwiring or padding, were suggestive for a pre-watershed airing on the BBC.

Maria Law, 47, of Umfreville Road, Harringay, said: “We have six daughters between us and we set up the business to make first bras for girls that are the complete opposite of being suggestive. “I am annoyed producers are trying to be politically correct and, in so doing, the subject is being ignored.”

The pair were asked to apply for the show after being spotted at the East London Design Show at Shoreditch Town Hall a few months back. From 120 fledgling designers, they made it through to the last 15 and were due to film a two-minute segment for the show in front of entrepreneur Jo Malone. But they were called by production team Two Four the night before and informally told they could not appear because of concerns about their product.

“We were told right at the last minute,” said Ms Law. “Surely they don’t have the right to pull something without debate with the designers.It is obvious they are unable to deal with a product that addresses a female subject.” Their designs include pattern and coloured training bras in sizes up to a 34B – the government legislation for young girls’ bras.

The show will see the 15 aspiring jewellers and designers whittled down to two, who will be given expert guidance on branding and public relations as well as pitching them to a major retailer.

A BBC spokeswoman said there were “a number of editorial reasons why we can and can’t include things in the programme”, insisting that it was not a comment on her product.