THOSE tempted to enjoy the sunshine by disrobing at Hengistbury Head are being asked to keep their kit on - after families reported spotting nudists at the beauty spot.

Naked sunbathers have been seen on the beach on a number of occasions so far this summer.

Although the site isn’t designated for nudism, the practice isn’t officially covered within local bylaws for the area.

This means that naturists do visit the beach on occasion, council officials say.

Michael Rowland, head of parks development at Bournemouth council, said: “Like anywhere in Bournemouth, we don’t encourage nudist bathing at Hengistbury Head.

“We have not designated any part of the beach for this, but as nudism is not covered within local bylaws for Hengistbury Head, we do get naturist bathers from time to time.

“If we receive reports from the public that anyone is causing offence we work with the police to resolve the problem. “ Chris Harris, who lives in Christchurch, photographed one of the swimsuit-free sun-worshippers at the weekend.

He said: “I had an altercation with one of the gentlemen.

“I said to him, ‘It’s not right’ and he basically said, ‘I don’t care’. He didn’t give a monkeys.

“I said, ‘Can I take a photograph of you for Facebook then?’ and he said he wasn’t bothered, so I did.

“I saw three blokes without their clothes on there at the weekend, all swinging about in the wind. It’s just unbelievable.”

Chris said he has seen nudists at the beach for his past few visits.

“Four times in a row, I’ve seen them there,” he said.

“It was a load of different days, not just weekends but weekdays too.”

Staff at the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, which is managed by Bournemouth council, said there is an “unwritten rule” that nudism is acceptable, Chris added.

Yesterday, staff at the centre told the Daily Echo: “There’s not a particular nudist area, so no, we don’t have anywhere for naturists.”

“One of these blokes just walked straight up wearing a little hat and nothing else,” Chris said.

“I just thought, ‘Come on’. It’s not a nudist beach. There are little kids everywhere.

“He just didn’t care at all. It’s not really an attitude.”

Another nude sunbather covered himself with a towel whenever dog-walkers passed by.

“He’d keep hiding it away when people went by him,” Chris said.

In the UK, general nudity is not an explicit offence. However, there are various offences that may apply to nudity in unsuitable circumstances.

Britain’s best-known naturist Stephen Gough - otherwise known as the ‘Naked Rambler’ - has spent many years in prison for public nudity.

Those who prefer to bathe in the buff are free to indulge at some Dorset locations.

Naturists are welcome on a kilometre-long stretch of the coastline at Studland.

National Trust representatives work with the Studland Beach Users Action Group, British Naturism and the police to keep Studland safe and family-friendly.