COULD there be nude sunbathing on Bournemouth beach? Local naturists are calling for Bournemouth to do more to boost nude tourism - and they want the town to have its own nudist beach.

Members of Studland United Nudists (SUN) say the local council is failing to tap into potential trade from nearly two million people who enjoy naturism.

Mark Nisbet from SUN said: "We feel Bournemouth and Poole are missing out big time on the naturist pounds.

"Dorset has got one of the highest proportions of naturists in the country, but they are being poorly served."

Local naturists already enjoy access to Britain's biggest designated nudist beach at Studland Bay in Purbeck.

The 1km long stretch of coastline is the most popular resort in the country for nude sunbathing. But over the last 10 years, the National Trust has clashed with naturists over its management of the beach.

Studland United Nudists was formed by beach users in 1995 in protest over changes made to the area by the National Trust.

The Trust designated a specific area of the beach for naturists, which SUN claims cut its traditional nudist area down by 90 per cent.

Mark Nisbet said: "The National Trust wishes to see the several thousands of naturists who use the beach confined to a very small area."

But he pointed out that the Bournemouth and Poole bay has seven miles of sandy beaches, which could offer another location for nude sunbathing.

Two areas have already been identified as potential nudist beaches, a small area towards Solent Meads on the Bournemouth side, and a short stretch between Alum Chine and Sandbanks on the Poole side.

But Mark Smith, head of tourism at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: "In the height of summer our beaches have up to 100,000 people on them so there isn't much space for a section to be available to one group of people.

"It's good to know that Studland United Nudists are doing so well and if we have any enquiries about a potential nudist section in Bournemouth we'd be happy to point them in the direction of Studland United Nudists."

Duncan Fisher, general manager of the De Vere Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth believed the geography of the local coastline would make it difficult to have a secluded area for nude sunbathing.

He added: "Bournemouth also has an image of being an all-round family resort and I don't think a nudist beach would go well with that."

First published: May 18