SITTINGBOURNE and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt has revealed why he declined to take part in a 'nude' publicity stunt to spotlight a campaign by former steelworkers for pensions compensation.

The Labour MP had hinted that he might join the former steelworkers from ASW Sheerness in a striptease on Bournemouth beach.

But Mr Wyatt decided against showing off his former international rugby player's physique and stripping off outside his party's annual conference.

He said: "I only reveal my body for special people. I always said all would be revealed on the day, but it was never really going to happen. Can you imagine the flack I would have got from the local papers?"

The steelworkers' Calendar Boys stunt made headline news on day three of the Labour Party Conference. They featured in news bulletins throughout the day posing behind a banner reading: Stripped of our Pensions.

Their pension schemes collapsed when ASW Sheerness went into receivership last year.