Naturists hold beach try-out days

British Naturism said the pastime was a mainstream lifestyle choice

Nervous naturists are being offered an introduction to the pastime with taster days on five designated beaches.

Through July and August members of British Naturism will be on the beaches to hand out leaflets and offer sports and refreshments to would-be naturists.

The five beaches are in Kent, Dorset, Hampshire, Gwynedd and Norfolk.

"The first steps into naturism can be quite difficult - we have all been there," said Steve Doerr, Kent and the South East representative.

"I have lain on a beach for a couple of hours trying to pluck up the courage to take off my clothes.

"Eventually you do that and then 10 minutes later you wonder what on earth you were worried about."

NATURIST BEACH DAYS 9 July Studland, Poole 23 July Morfa Dyffryn, Barmouth 30 July Eastney, Portsmouth 12 August Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey 13 August Holkham, Norfolk

British Naturism said it was now a mainstream lifestyle and holiday choice in the UK.

More and more people were sunbathing nude on foreign beaches and did not want to wear a swimsuit when they returned home.

"It is a growing pastime, but ironically membership of our organisation is currently slightly down," said Mr Doerr.

"One of the motives of the beach days is to improve membership."