"The Joy of Sex", the groundbreaking 1972 manual that shook up life in the bedroom around the world, has been given a 21st-century makeover, The Observer newspaper reported.

"The New Joy of Sex", due out in September, is conceptualised as a modern take on Doctor Alex Comfort's original, bringing in new-fangled lovemaking terms and techniques.

Bodypaint, "love maps" and sexual hotspots worth seeking out are included this time. The updated version contains 120 new drawings and photographs. Out have gone the original couple illustrated on the cover, with their distinctive, shaggy 1970s hairstyles.

"It is a mixture of photographs and illustration, because you cannot show a photograph of penetrative sex, as it then becomes pornographic," said Jane Smith.

"So readers will see the photograph of a sensual moment, but the actual positions will be illustrated."

"The Joy of Sex" has sold eight million copies since it first hit the shelves.