The UK's official naturist organisation has seen a boost in membership for the first time in 15 years after hosting public bare all events designed to make nude lifestyles more mainstream.

British Naturism reported this week its representatives had swelled by nearly 10 per cent this year, with the increase partly credited to a shift in approach away from behind-closed-doors functions to public outings including trips to restaurants, theatres and galleries.

Naked yoga and running classes was also said to have helped encourage newcomers to the movement as well as outdoor festivals such as Nudefest and Nudestock.

Andrew Welch, British Naturism's commercial manager, claimed prudish attitudes towards nudity were evaporating while businesses have become increasingly open to hosting their own bare all events.

He said: "At the moment we are around 8,900 members, so last year we were around 8,300 members. This is the first time our membership has been rising for the last 15 years.

‘‘There is a much less of a taboo when it comes to naturism. In the past if you told people you were a naturist there would be raised eyebrows, but now people are much more aware of what it is.