Residents and businesses near a Suffolk beach have voiced their fury at nudists "engaging in lewd behaviour" on the popular shoreline.
Locals in Corton have spoken out on a long-running row over whether the beach is safe for families - while residents at the Azure Seas retirement village, which overlooks the village, have been forced to avert their gaze.
Business owners said they have lost customers altogether due to what they describe as "perverted sexual activity" on the sands - and though a warning sign was recently erected on the beach, it has since mysteriously disappeared.
The notice had read: "Corton Beach is not a naturist beach. Lewd behaviour will not be tolerated and may be recorded by CCTV and reported to the police."
Corton Beach (pictured) has been a known spot for naturists for several decades
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It further warned that causing offence to others is a criminal offence in itself - and all cases would be reported for prosecution.
The sign was installed by Corton Parish Council following numerous complaints from locals about indecent behaviour.
Local resident Steve Shepherd, 68, a retired newspaper executive, told The Sun: "It's no longer safe to take children there to play on their beach."
"I was with my two and three-year-old grandchildren last summer and there were naked men deliberately showing off and flaunting themselves," he added.
Azure Seas sales manager Duncan Gooch said: "It's got nothing to do with nudity whatsoever - it is the behaviour of some who go there, a group who think it is OK to indulge in lewd and sexual behaviour on the beach."
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A view of Corton sea defences
'It's no longer safe to take children there to play on their beach,' Steve Shepherd said
GETTYThe Azure Seas village is set in 15 acres of woodland on the cliffs overlooking the controversial beach.
It features more than 100 holiday and permanent cabins and homes which cost up to £200,000.
The retirement community has its own direct access to the sea.
Gooch added: "Things have got worse over recent years - and are now so bad that a lot of people simply won't go onto the beach."
And a parish council spokesman said: "Businesses overlooking the beach have also been severely impacted, reporting substantial financial losses directly attributed to these behaviours."
The council clarified they recognise nudism is legal and were not attempting to prohibit naturists from enjoying the beach.
Businesses overlooking the beach have been 'severely impacted' by the nudism, the parish council said (file photo)
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"The sign was a warning to individuals whose lewd activities were causing distress to other beach-goers," the spokesman said.
The council also emphasised they do not suggest naturists were responsible for the offensive behaviour.
District councillor Paul Ashdown said: "Most people are aware that sunbathing in the nude on the beach is not illegal but some residents have witnessed lewd behaviour which is offensive."
"It would be good to discourage this sort of behaviour," he added.
An East Suffolk council spokesman confirmed: "We had requested removal of a sign placed without relevant permission on a signpost on East Suffolk Council land," and said the sign had been removed without their knowledge over the weekend.
