Cyclists are set to bare all today - pedalling around Folkestone to raise awareness of environmental issues.

The World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) will make its comeback today for the fifth annual bike ride of its kind in the town.

Despite plans for the seaside ride to go ahead, Canterbury's similar event was cancelled amid claims it “stinks of exhibitionism”.

But organisers say the decision to scrap it was simply down to a failure to secure a suitable date.

The event will aim to highlight international dependency on oil and gas, and why it's good to look to using cycling as a greener mode of transport.

The ride will start by meeting at 1pm at the Green at Shearway Road with body painting and live music, and will end on the Lower Leas beach with a skinny dip for all those who dare.

Bikers will set off at 2pm.

Riders are advised to take their clothes with them on the route as the start and finish point will not be the same.

The event website says: “WNBR is an international movement, with rides taking place in over forty locations in the UK and around the world.

“If you’re worried about going nude on the day don’t panic as it’s fully clothing-optional.

“Full and partial nudity is encouraged, but not mandatory and if the route is too long for you, you can pull out at one of the rest points.

“Drivers don’t notice us with clothes on but they do when we are nude!”

For more information, visit the Folkestone bike ride site.