Beach buffs welcomed Brighton council’s plan for a bare-it-all haven for naturists in July 1979.

But many believed the proposed site near the old Black Rock swimming pool was far too exposed.

Fully-dressed naturist Roger Tripp from Worthing inspected the beach and said: “It’s stupid. The beach will be full of flashers – not proper nudists.

“Crowds of First Division football hooligans will get off the train and head straight here for a gape.”

However, the owner of a cafe next to the beach said he looked forward to seeing people in their birthday suits.

He said: “Maybe I’ll rent out some changing rooms. I wouldn’t mind serving naked customers.”

At Brighton’s only nudist club all the members insisted baring it all was best.

Fourteen-year-old Steve, wearing nothing but a grin, said: “All my school friends like looking at pin-ups – but they can only look at the pictures. I can see the real thing!”

It was all a far cry from the first time Steve’s parents had taken him to Brighton Sun Club. That day he had adamantly refused to get out of the car.

Now he sat happily with his mother, father and his young sister with only a few goose pimples to hide his embarrassment.

“It’s fantastic,” he said, demurely crossing his legs. It makes you forget all about your exams.”

Freedom

His father Bob, a bus inspector, became a naturist to strip off his sweltering uniform and get an all-over tan, while his wife Chris thought it was a perfect way to spend a holiday – because it meant she could cut down on the packing.

Club secretary Hugh Bentley said nudists were far from nuts, protesting: “It’s very levelling.

“When a bloke’s undressed you can’t tell if he drove up in a Rolls-Royce or a Mini.

“People do it for the wonderful sense of freedom. To lie or sit in the sun and feel the warmth of the air against your skin is really quite sensual.”

But plans to open nudist beaches are often met with naked aggression from outraged local residents.

In July 1985, under an Argus head|||||line screaming, “Gay Plague Beach Fear”, hysterical opponents claimed a nudist beach would bring the deadly virus AIDS to a Sussex town.

They feared “homosexuals would converge” on Littlehampton which they said was already plagued with sex pests in the sand dunes.

More than 100 people packed the council chamber for a protest meeting, with all but three voting to ask Arun Council to abandon plans to let nudists onto the West Beach.

Dr Ray Ibberson, headmaster of Climping College, warned Littlehampton would become a “mecca for homosexuals” and could become plagued by AIDS.

Another protester, Lt. Cdr. Andrew Hawkes, thundered: “It will mean an invasion of perverts, mods and rockers. All the ne’er-do-wells will congregate to gawp.”

Mr Charles Derington-Turner, representing the chamber of commerce, said: “Arun Council is virtually condoning homosexuals on West Beach. We have a notice on the east side of the river saying Beware of Rabies – let’s have a notice on the west side saying Beware of AIDS.”

The chairman of the Arun Gay Society, who wanted to be known only as Patrick, said there was no connection between naturists and homosexuality.

He said: “The connection between a nudist beach and AIDS is preposterous. These stories are making it very difficult for young men to come out.”

Despite the strong opposition, often it was people in authority banging the drum for naturism.

In April 1981 Brighton’s most revealing councillor complained loudly at not being able to swim nude in the town’s new pool.

Principles

Councillors, chief officers and their families were enjoying a special session in the Prince Regent pool – but there was a row in the foyer when Coun Jakes arrived and announced she would be swimming naked.

The councillor, who had been pictured bare in the world’s press as the leading supporter of Brighton’s nudist beach, said loudly: “When the nude beach opened I sent my bikini to a jumble sale. It’s against my principles to go into the water with clothes on.”

But Mike Griffin, the flustered parks director, told Coun Jakes she would have to keep her clothes on or stay out of the pool.

Before storming off home, the councillor retorted: “If I can’t swim naked on the opening night, I won’t swim at all!”