STUDLAND Beach is a treasured Purbeck beauty spot marred by tensions and unwelcome controversy.

Every year its rolling dunes and white sands attract more than one million visitors, and for decades naturists have been among that number.

The National Trust has formally recognised the activity declaring an 800m long section of Knoll beach an official naturist area, indicated by marker posts. Those who wander outside without dressing first are asked to return by beach rangers or police who patrol the beach.

With a long history of bare beach going, such relatively new restrictions have become a source of friction, with some naturists resenting being penned in.

Most of these men, women and children are interested in nothing more than relaxing, swimming and getting an all over tan.

But the area is also a draw for those interested in less savoury pursuits which in the past have included everything from group sex to shooting a porn film.

Last summer the Echo reported that police had stepped up beach patrols to stamp out outdoor sex and put off illicit sexual thrill seekers.

Inspector Ashley Adams, Purbeck Section Commander, said in summer 2007 officers had dealt with people having sex in the sand dunes and woodland, exposing themselves in public and other indecent acts. A motorboat moored off the coast was allegedly being used for prostitution.

Such activity has done much to tarnish the area, as much for legitimate naturists as other beach users.

Indeed the online Naturist UK Fact File warns: "Studland has a lot of voyeurs but for the most part they stay in the dunes where there are people happy to provide something for them to watch."

And Studland United Naturists magazine "The Bare Essentials" urges readers to report any such activity to police.

But nevertheless the actions of this unwelcome minority have contributed to tensions between the National Trust, which manages the beach, the police, and the naturists who feel they are being unfairly tarred with the same brush.

In 2004 a group was set up to try to resolve these differences, as well as tackle crime and anti social behaviour on the beach.

The Studland Beach Users Action Group (SBUAG), an umbrella group for dozens of beach users including Studland United Naturists (SUN), National Trust and police, has been a great success and was awarded to a Home Office Respect Award for Taking a Stand in 2006.

But its relationships with SUN began to break down last summer. In January this year they withdrew, siting "draconian restrictions on naturist usage of the area." A representative from British Naturism does remain part of the action group.

In "The Bare Essentials" SUN chairman Richard Wickham said: "The actions of the National Trust and the police over the past thirteen years enforcing unacceptable restrictions on naturists at Studland has no place in a civilised society."

But, despite this setback the users action group will continue working to ensure the cooling off of relations with some naturists does not undo its good work.

Emma Wright, National Trust Studland beach visitor services manager, said the trust was "committed" to maintaining an area of the beach as an Official UK Naturist Beach'.

She added: "We welcome the support of naturists and naturist groups who do not want to see the finest naturist beach in the country lose its reputation for decency, and would urge all users of the beach to help us keep the beach safe for everyone to use and report any illegal behaviour to the police.

"This summer, members of SBUAG will be explaining the group's role and successes as well as engaging with the naturist community on the beach as part of a number of beach open days.

"I feel it is really important that all beach users are aware of the group and the common aim we are working towards, that of reducing illegal behaviour."

  • The headline for this story came from Andy of Ringwood and the Baytree Boyz, who won the Headline Game on the Paul Bunker Show on 2CR.