SWINDON naturist Mike Gould is letting it all hang out in a special calendar to raise money for Action For Blind People.

The 67-year-old, who has been a naturist for almost a decade, dropped his trousers to become Mr May and Mr August for the charity calendar, out this week.

Mike, from Greenmeadow, posed in his birthday suit for a similar calendar last year helping to raise £600 for Prospect Hospice.

But for the 2009 version, he chose a charity closer to home.

“My grandson was born prematurely and due to that he has always been blind in one eye,” Mike said.

“He’s 16 now and is leading a very normal and happy life but has had help along the way from charities such as Action For Blind People. I thought this year, the calendar could raise money for them.”

The glossy A5 flip-chart calendar is available for £10.25 with £1 from each copy going to the charity.

But as well as doing its bit for a good cause, Mike is also hoping the calendar will promote naturism as a healthy hobby.

“Naturism is not a perverted pastime,” he said. “It’s about being comfortable in your own skin and projecting a healthier image of the human body.

“In clothes, we stress out and get pent up but out of them there is nothing to hide and no reason to be on edge – it’s liberating and relaxing.”

Although there is no official naturists’ group in the town, Mike said he may be persuaded to set one up if he finds out there’s a substantial interest.

“A lot of people are very relaxed when they are completely nude,” he said.

“It’s very tasteful and in no way pornographic, it’s as we were intended and it’s the healthiest way of showing children they should not have hang-ups about body image.”

To buy a calendar, send a cheque for £10.25 to David and Marion Canning, Helvetia, 20a First avenue, Ravenswing Park, Aldermaston RG7 4PS.