The not so Full Monty - because they can't find a black actor

Given the full-frontal nudity involved, the group expected a struggle with bashful actors, and maybe some opposition from prudish members of the public.

To their surprise however, the issue that may ruin their plan is not raunchy scenes - but mentioning a character's colour.

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Two local newspapers refused to allow the group to advertise for a black actor to play the part of one of the male strippers, Horse.

Though it is not illegal to specify race for an acting role, the papers apparently feared upsetting readers.

So the society's advert had to run without the crucial adjective, and none of the dozens of respondents fitted the part.

Now, after eight months of searching, the Exmouth Operatic Society in Devon might have to cancel the show. Its 61-year-old chairman Val Clarke said: "We launched the play in November and put it in the programme straight away.

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"Casting is almost complete and rehearsals begin in September - but we can't find a black actor for Horse. We thought the problem would be finding someone willing to go nude."

The musical is based on the 1997 Oscar-nominated film about unemployed steel workers in Sheffield who form a male striptease act to raise money. In the movie, Horse is played by Paul Barber, best known as Denzil in Only Fools and Horses.

The musical is set in Buffalo, America. Mrs Clarke said: "It has a beautiful score with some great ballads and the nudity is subtle and brief."

The operatic society is reluctant to "black up" a white actor with make-up, feeling that really would be offensive.

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And the other option, changing the character to a white man, would have to be approved by the show's writers through the licence-holder, Josef Weinberger Ltd.

According to the Commission for Racial Equality, it is not illegal to advertise for a black actor.

A spokesman said: "It is legally permitted under a section of the Race Relations Act to cast along racial lines, when race is so central to a part that it is acceptable.

"This is called the 'genuine occupational requirement'."