Naturists slam leisure centre bosses for banning them from swimming naked after new children’s play area was built in view of the pool

• Nudists at Alton sports centre, Hampshire, no longer allowed to strip off in pool
• A note was left by centre’s general manager ahead of last month’s Sunday swim
• It said new building shows off all areas, allowing views into pool from play area

Nudists have branded a leisure centre ‘old fashioned’ after it banned them from swimming naked due to a new children’s play area.

Up to 35 nude bathers at Alton sports centre in Hampshire will no longer be allowed to strip off in the £20million facility due to the kids.

A note was left by the centre’s general manager ahead of last month’s two-hour Sunday evening swim.

Up to 35 nude bathers at Alton sports centre in Hampshire (pictured) will no longer be allowed to strip off in the £20million facility due to the kids

It said the new building had been built to show off all areas of the centre, allowing full view into the pool from the cafe and soft play areas.

It added, according to the Times: ‘Unfortunately the new Alton Sports Centre will no longer be able to cater for naturist swimming sessions.’

But one naturist called Julian, who has gone to the East Hampshire district council-run events for three years, was livid with the move.

A note said the new building had been built to show off all areas of the centre, allowing full view into the pool from the cafe and soft play areas (pictured)

He said: ‘While the new centre has been built for the past two years we’ve asked what will happen to us and not received an answer — so they’ve been happily taking our money then kicked us out with no warning.

‘It really is an old fashioned attitude — being naked is not a big deal and swimming in the nude is very enjoyable.’

Julian, who did not give his second name, was joined in his complaint by former mayor of Alton Dean-Paul Phillips who did not see a problem with the sessions.

But one naturist called Julian, who has gone to the East Hampshire district council-run events for three years, was livid with the move. Pictured: the outside of the centre

But David Love, area contract manager for Everyone Active, which runs the centre, said all avenues had bee explored to accommodate the nudists, but it was not feasible.

An East Hampshire district council spokesman said: ‘Whilst we haven’t consulted with the naturist group directly, they were given the opportunity to share their views during the planning process.’

The new sports centre is expected to open today, with former Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson and swimming sensation Rebecca Adlington set to attend.

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