IT IS a cheeky campaign with a serious message.

Around 150 cyclists are expected to take to the streets of Southampton next month wearing nothing but their birthday suits and helmets, to take part in this year’s Naked Bike Ride.

The brazen protesters will set out in the nude from Southampton Common for a fifth successive year, to raise awareness of the world’s dependency on oil.

The event, which attracted more than 100 protesters in 2010, will be held on June 10, from 6pm.

And for the first time, Portsmouth will hold its own Naked Bike Ride at 12noon on the same day, as Hampshire campaigners step up their efforts to convince people to ditch their cars and go green.

Rob Jordan, who is organising the Southampton ride, said: “It’s always a lot of fun and it draws attention to cycling as a sustainable method of transport, especially with fuel prices the way they are now.

“But the cost issue is just one of the benefits, when you consider what it can do for your health and the environment – that’s the message the ride puts across.

“Protests don’t always get noticed, but even though this is a quiet event, with no banners or placards, it never fails to turn heads.

“People often come down in full body paint so we will encourage them to do the same again this year, but even just a quick slogan written on your back will help get the message out there.”

Ian Henden, the man behind the inaugural Portsmouth ride, said: “I took part in the Southampton one last year and it was great fun. It got me thinking ‘why hasn’t Portsmouth got one?’ “We have organised it on the same day so that people can easily take part in both if they want to and I’ll be doing just that.

“It will almost be a dress rehearsal for the Southampton ride – or a non-dressed rehearsal if you like!”

Southampton’s cyclists will take a route that passes through Portswood and the city centre, before returning to Southampton Common via The Avenue.

The event forms part of the World Naked Bike Ride, which began in 2004.

It hosted rides in 74 cities across 17 countries last year, including routes in Brighton, London and Bristol.