I DON’T CARE IF ANYONE LOOKS

CLAIRE HOWARD, 55, is married and lives in Banbury. She is a part-time office worker and film extra. Claire says:

MY BACK garden is overlooked by two of my neighbours. Either of them could see me reclining in the nude on my sunlounger if they really wanted to. I’ve no idea if they look or not — and to be honest I don’t really care.

If people want to look, then my attitude is, go right ahead.

I can’t remember a time when I haven’t sunbathed naked. I’ve never been shy and I put that down to how I was brought up. In our family we were raised with the philosophy that we all have the same ‘bits’ and they are nothing to be ashamed of — and it is an attitude I have taken with me into my adult life.

I do feel good with a suntan. I always apply a high factor sunscreen and never burn. I also adore my walled garden: it is a suntrap from the afternoon onwards and an absolute joy to be in .

My house is at the end of a row of four cottages, and the bedroom windows from the second and third cottages overlook my garden.

I haven’t ever discussed my sunbathing habits with my neighbours. I’ve lived here for 30 years and quite simply see no need to. On one side is a rented property. Tenants come and go on a regular basis. If they want to look, it is up to them. But to this day no one has ever confronted me about my lack of clothing. My husband never worries about me sunbathing naked or being outside on my own. As curious as it might sound, it doesn’t concern him if neighbours see me. He has never asked me to cover up — it’s just not an issue.

It is probably because I am a ‘film extra.’ I have done some naked work and people do see me without clothes on. He trusts me and is not a jealous man.

In 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastecomy. I’ve had a temporary reconstruction and while my breast doesn’t look the same as it did before, I am still me and proud to be here — naked breasts and all!

RETIRED accountant, Cynthia Jackson, 67, has lived next to Claire for 14 years. Cynthia says:

CLAIRE has lived in our row of cottages a lot longer than I have. As far as I can remember she has always sunbathed naked.

It doesn’t bother me at all. I’d have to go out of my way to spy on her. My feeling is that if neighbours don’t like it, then they shouldn’t look.

I would defend someone’s right to behave as they please in their garden.

To call the police on your neighbour because they’re not wearing any clothes is ludicrous.