Having passed its Committee stage in March, the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill is expected to proceed to its next stage in the House of Commons on Thursday 17 May.

This Bill is of great concern to beach naturists since it will remove the need for Government approval of proposed local byelaws.

In the past any local council wanting to enact a "no nudity" byelaw had to seek approval from Central Government and such approval has been routinely withheld.

The Local Government Bill, if passed in its present form, will remove this oversight - making it possible for naturism to be made effectively illegal on any of the 'traditional' beaches around the coast.

To make matters worse, the new byelaws will be enforced by local council employees or hired contractors, with the proceeds of any fines going into council coffers.

Naturists are being urged to write to their MP and request that he or she to opposes this legislation.