WHAT is that makes campaigners want to strip off when the temperature starts to sizzle?

First there were the naked Bar End protesters who chained themselves to railings in Winchester city centre earlier this month.

What they lacked in modesty they more than made up for in cheeky bravado, baring all to stop a meadow being turned into a car park.

Not to be outdone, animal rights protesters yesterday took advantage of the summery rays to leave their clothes behind.

With only a strategically placed banner for cover, they stood for two hours outside Wickham Laboratories demanding an end to animal testing.

It is not only in Hampshire that the trend for getting your point across wearing absolutely nothing is gathering pace.

A naked vegan picnic in France turned out to be the divine inspiration for staying starkers at yesterday's Wickham protest.

And it seems the bare-fleshed protesters have more faith in their adventurous antics than going down the traditional ballot box route.

"It's no use just phoning your MP, writing letters or handing out leaflets," said protester Helen Nelson.

"You have to do something gimmicky to get people's attention and that means doing something just a little bit different.

"Anyone can join in and people have to be able to enjoy themselves. It's a great way to attract attention and get some publicity."

But she's equally keen to point out that none of the protesters want to upset anyone's sensitivities at so much bare flesh on show.

"Everyone was perfectly decent. I don't think anyone can accuse us of public exposure."

Beeping horns from passing motorists certainly showed the demonstrators' efforts had not gone unnoticed.

But it remains to be seen who will bare all when the temperature starts to fall- just to prove it's not a summer fad.