A FORMER pop singer stripped off in a busy High Street to protest about the lack of youth facilities.

Janet Rose' Sewell left school without many qualifications so used her singing talents to catapult her to stardom with Simply Red between 1985 and 1987.

Since leaving the band, she has worked with Heather Small and Mica Paris and thinks young people in Orpington need the same chances she has had.

The 43-year-old believes converting one of the empty shops in the High Street to a place where youngsters can go rather than hanging around on the streets would help them achieve their potential.

She also thinks it would make them feel appreciated and stop the problems Orpington has with residents feeling threatened by gangs of yobs.

Miss Sewell said: "The police are just sent to move them on and I have had enough.

"They are tomorrow's people, give them a chance.

"Some people are not academically gifted but they can't just leave them by the wayside.

"They should be given the opportunity because they need somewhere to go.

"I'm a mother and I'm a woman but first and foremost I'm a human being and we must stop this nonsense."

Miss Sewell, of Spur Road, Orpington, was arrested after taking her clothes off in the high street on September 7.

Her plan was to get sent to court where she would highlight her protest from the dock but she was given a fixed penalty notice and not charged.

Although she did not get her day in court, she is confident she knows enough people in the music industry to turn her plan into a high profile campaign.

The mother-of-one added: "I feel sorry for my son because he feels bad that his mum got naked. I hope he forgives me."

Miss Sewell is trying to organise a benefit gig to raise funds for her project.