London, Jul 9 : A lunchtime programme by Channel 4 has been met with disapproval, after it showed a nude model in various poses.

Model Kirsten Varley sparked a storm after she appeared completely nude for 30 minutes on the show, as a studio audience and viewers were encouraged to draw her by artist Gary Hume.

On receiving the complaints, Channel 4 insisted that the 12.30pm programme `Life Class: Today's Nude' was not sensational at all and was purely educational.

But dozens of viewers bombarded their switchboard, saying it was pornography.

One such watcher was writer Punteha Yazdanian, 23, who was in her sick bed watching daytime TV.

"It nearly gave me a relapse," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"I was disgusted by the sight of Kirsten flaunting her charms in a very suggestive way. This was adult viewing - not for screening in the middle of the day," she said.

Other viewers argued that total nudity should only be shown after the 9 o'clock watershed in the evening.

The channel is showing five life-drawing classes throughout the week - each with a different model and tutor to tell viewers about art and drawing techniques.

But Alan Kane, the artist who came up with the idea for the programme, defended the show.

"Because it is educational and non-sexualised nudity, Channel 4 didn't have any concerns with it at all," he said. (ANI)