Curious members of the public are being offered a peek behind the hedges of a nudist club.

Those with the urge to reveal all are being invited along to Greenacres Naturist Club in County Durham.

The club, based ten miles from the historic cathedral city of Durham, is holding two open weekends.

The first is on 13 and 14 July, and will eliminate the misunderstanding surrounding a pastime which bemuses most of the British public.

Sports days

The public can see how club members let their hair down on the games court, at the pool or in the sauna.

There are also sports days and a series of social events in the clubhouse.

Participants are strictly vetted before they can join the club to ensure no unwelcome types sign-up.

One club member, who has been a naturist for 40 years, said: "Naturism is for all ages - we have three generations of children, parents and grandchildren that are members of our club.

"If the naturist way of life is of interest to people we would ask them to come along and see what really goes on behind the hedge.

"I think some people think we are rather peculiar behind our closed doors.

"It is like going into another world once you go through the gates."

Sunbathing

The club is a member of the the Central Council for British Naturism, and the International Naturist Federation.

The club was founded in 1953 and is open to new members.

Sheltered lawns for sunbathing are available throughout the grounds, and there is a large club house with a licensed bar.

British Naturism commissioned a recent poll which claimed about a million Britons would class themselves as nudists.