The Rev Bob Horrocks is a vicar who also just so happens to be a naturist.

But the father of two, who bared all for a television programme, wants to change people’s perceptions about the human body.

The Church of England vicar, from the Seven Saints Rectory, in Farnworth, appeared naked on 4thought, on Channel 4, at 7.25pm, on Thursday, to answer the question: “Is it a sin to bare our flesh?”

The 55-year-old believes images of airbrushed models and celebrities have warped people’s perspective about the body and led to health problems, including anorexia and bulimia.

Mr Horrocks said: “It is about people realising that our bodies are a gift from God.

“They have a value and they shouldn’t be demeaned by pornography or people trying to adjust how their bodies look.

“People are trying to follow something that is airbrushed and this is because of pressures that society has brought.

“Bodies are very much sexualised in our society and when they see a naked body, people snigger and make themselves uncomfortable.

“People don’t get to see what real bodies look like and they think that the body is just sexual.”

Mr Horrocks, who is a member of the Christian Naturist Fellowship, spends some of his free time on naturist events.

He says the Bible is very positive about being naked and the natural human body.

Mr Horrocks added: “Being naked was a part of society. St Peter was fishing in the boat naked, Jesus would have been baptised naked and men would have worked in the fields naked.”

The vicar admitted that before taking part in the programme he had reservations about appearing naked on TV, but says he has had mainly positive reactions from members of the community.