Never mind window dressing - five shopkeepers showed off their wares with some window UNdressing.

Surprised passers-by got an eyeful when the traders staged a Full Monty-style strip in a shop window.

Products from their shops were all that protected the modesty of Jonathan MacFarlane, James Charter, Wolfram Lohr, Rob Breskal and Charlie Cartwright.

They bared nearly all in the window of Mr Charter's Egg and Spoon shop in St George's Road, Kemp Town, Brighton.

The aim was to promote a window display competition organised by the Kemp Town Village Business Association.

Charlie, 38, owner of Charlie's Orbit second-hand record store, chose to pose with a vinyl copy of Robert Palmer's I Didn't Mean To Turn You On.

He admitted: "I've been dreading this day. I'm not a natural exhibitionist. I'd had a few drinks when I agreed to do this and I couldn't back out."

But Jo Bateson, who runs the store with him, said: "He's been up for it from the start. That record will have to go into the pound section, though."

Former Brighton ice hockey star Rob, of Brighton Dive Company, was more confident, wielding just his fin, mask and snorkel for cover.

Rob, 35, said: "It was good fun, especially when a number seven bus went past and all the passengers gazed on open-mouthed.

"It took about a nanosecond to persuade me to do this. I like interesting ideas to promote business, and this is certainly that."

Wolfram, 33, who works in Ghita Schuy's shoe shop, said: "If I was doing this on my own I might be embarrassed, but doing it with four other lads was okay."

Ghita said: "I was reluctant to be stark naked myself, but looking on - that's fine."

Jonathan, 42, co-owner of Wallis MacFarlane gift shop, posed with a three-wick candle.

He said: "Window dressing seems to be a bit of a dying art, especially with all the major chain stores. We want to change that."

Roland Wallis, chairman of the business association, said: "We first came up with the exhibition idea, then thought, 'Why don't we make an exhibition of ourselves?'

"But one of the business courses I've been on was about how to delegate, which is why I wasn't taking part!

"We want to make Kemp Town more fun, and get people involved in the business association. This exhibition will be a kind of 24-hour street art gallery."

The window competition will run from June 17 to 29. Members of the public who cast votes for the best display will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 hamper.