London, April 16 (IANS) A US firm's promotional video featuring elderly couples simulating sexual acts has left many people flabbergasted.

The video campaign, released by US organisation SaferSex4Seniors.org, has been designed to promote safe sex through use of condoms following news that STDs among sexually-active seniors in Florida had risen by 71 percent over the past five years, the Daily Mail reported.

The 30-second video, released on YouTube, shows a group of elderly men and women mocking the performance of challenging sexual positions.

DDB, the New York-based advertising agency which produced the video, has defended its campaign, describing it as a strategic choice to use humour and shock value.

Safer Sex For Seniors, aims to provide accurate, up-to-date information from experts in the field.

It is formed of an independent collective of professional sexuality educators, researchers, authors, trainers, counsellors, and therapists and provides fact sheets and advice via its website.

Many people, however, believe the group, has taken shock tactics too far while promoting a worthy cause.