NATURISTS carried out a protest after being thrown out of their club.

Around 11 members of the Lakeland Outdoor Club, which rents a field near Haverigg for naturist gatherings, were barred after a row erupted between two factions of the group.

The split appears to have started after an argument between two members who were camping on the field but the official reason given to the ex-members relates to damage caused to some grass on the site.

On Saturday disgruntled naturist Russ Davies, and around five others, attempted to attend the club’s annual general meeting at Millom Rugby Club.

“As expected we were thrown out of the club,” Mr Davies, from Wigton, said.

“The die was cast when a letter was sent out at the same time as the agenda, saying that if the remaining members of the club vote against the committee’s decision to revoke our membership then the club will be closed for good the following day.”

Mr Davies and his fellow protestors, including some who have been members for 40 years, believe the committee is failing to follow its constitution in dealing with the dispute.

"If a member of the club has had a issue this should first be resolved with a meeting of the committees,” the 52-year-old added.

“This was not done, and if it’s still not resolved then the matter should go before the AGM, for members to make a decision, but unfortunately we were not allowed to plead our case.

“The members voted against us after not allowing us to defend ourselves.”

Brian Delamere from the club’s committee said the issue was a private one and the club would not be commenting on the dispute.