A town councillor is calling for action to stop male nudists using beaches and defacing signs saying 'No Nudism Allowed'.

Families at Telscombe Cliffs say they have been shocked during the summer to find the rocky beach being used by naked men.

The nudists have also been using the beach in recent weeks on warm days.

Telscombe Cliffs beach has been a meeting place for male nudists for many years and the town council has fought a campaign to stop nude sunbathing below the cliffs.

A bylaw forbidding nudity on the beach was introduced in March 1970 but despite signs and visits to the beach by police officers, it is still used as an unofficial naturist zone.

Paul Cosham, a Peacehaven and Telscombe town councillor, said: "It is still being used as a nudist beach during warm autumn days. There were a group there only three weeks ago.

"The sign has been defaced to say Nudism Allowed. You can't go down there with a family on a warm sunny day. We want the beach to be used as a facility for local families but they are being put off because of the male nudists."

Town clerk Kathleen Verrall said: "The problem with nudists is not as bad as it has been in the past, when naked men would sit down next to families on the beach.

"This year I am not aware of any serious problems but we will review the situation if we get complaints next year. It is up to local residents to tell us if there is a problem."