FIREFIGHTERS got an eyeful when they were called to a blaze at a nudist club.

The crews were greeted with the sight of dozens of naturists enjoying the sunny weather.

Club members in Newcastle were evacuated up a nearby private road while the fire on some dumped gas cylinders was put out.

Mike Daly, secretary of the Tynedale and Newcastle District Outdoor Club (TANDO), said: "One of the guests, a man from Holland, spotted the fire and alerted me.

"The gas cylinders had been left near a hedge and we thought it could be dangerous so called the fire brigade.

"We had to get members away from the area, but didn't have to leave to any public areas.

"There is a private road that runs around the site that is only used by us and a local farmer.

"If it had been different we do of course have clothes we can put on.

"There is a problem with fly-tipping in the area and the cylinders had been punctured and then set on fire."

Firefighters from Northumbria and Tyne and Wear fire services doused the cylinders in cold water to reduce the risk of the high pressurised canisters exploding.

The club, in Throckley, is situated close to the nearby A69 and an industrial estate.

The cylinders were discovered shortly before 4.30pm yesterday and were eventually removed about four hours later.

The Tando club has been based on the site since 1952 and is described as one of the most pleasant naturist sites in Britain.