A SWIMMING pool has been slammed after announcing it will be the host of a nude swimming event for families – sparking concerns it will attract paedophiles.

Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent has teamed up with British Naturism to host the naked swimming event.

Nude attendees will be allowed to ride the slides and enjoy a paddle in the pool with nothing on.

British Naturism assured members that despite the pandemic, they will still be able to attend the swim on Saturday.

The event, which usually attracts around 300 naked swimmers, caused controversy, with some claiming the family event would lure in pedophiles.

People were so outraged by the idea that they stood outside the swimming pool and protested.

A petition to ban the event was also set up.

Tickets for the event costs £18 per adult British Naturist members and £24 for non-members.

Despite the negative reaction to the unusual event, Waterworld's owner refused to cancel the session, claiming British Naturism was a 'law-abiding' organisation.

Katy Pearson wrote on Facebook: "I'm all for people being naturists, & living how they want to – but come on, naked adults & children, are you joking.. paedos galore. Absolutely disgusting!"

On Waterworld's Facebook page, Bobby Kay wrote: "I understand you have a naked swim open to both adults and children at the centre.

"Please can you tell me how do you ensure paedophiles do not attend? If you do welcome paedophiles to the event – how do you ensure children/vulnerable people are kept safe?

In a statement, a spokesman said: "British Naturism is an organisation that has been in existence for over 50 years with many of our clubs being even older. We have a membership of 9,000 over 18s.

I understand you have a naked swim open to both adults and children at the centre. Please can you tell me how do you ensure pedophiles do not attend? If you do welcome pedophiles to the event – how do you ensure children/vulnerable people are kept safe?

"We take our safeguarding and health and safety responsibility seriously and review our practices in advance of every event we run.

"We have a robust child and vulnerable adults safeguarding policy – it's actually rather ignorant of the complainers to assume that we don't. It was developed in conjunction with the NSPCC and is reviewed annually.

"We also have a strict 'no cameras' rule with any photographs to record the event only being taken by our official photographer, who follow certain guidelines about what can be taken.

"Children at our events are always supervised by their parents and not allowed to attend unaccompanied – unlike schools, churches, scouts, play areas and other venues where parents opt to leave their children in the care of others.

"Naturist swims are being successfully – and safely – run all around the country throughout the year."

Waterworld owner Mo Chaudry sent a letter to local publication The Sentinel, claiming that British Naturism is a 'perfectly law-abiding organisation'.

He wrote: "We have been unjustly accused of encouraging paedophiles. Far Right protest group Britain First has been trying to whip up a frenzy by handing out inflammatory flyers.

"Some of our staff have even been subjected to unacceptable and unwarranted personal abuse. So it's time to set the record straight and get this situation into perspective.

"British Naturism is a perfectly law-abiding organisation which has been hiring our venue – and many similar sites across the UK – for private swimming events for more than 20 years.

"In all that time, the Waterworld sessions have passed off happily and peacefully, and we have never had any reasons for concern.

"It's important to point out that these events are completely private. They are not open to anyone to simply walk in off the street.

"They are restricted to the organisation's members and pre-registered guests, and no children attend without parents or guardians."

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