POLICE were called to an adult art class after an outrageous nude prank backfired.

Class members arrived for their weekly lesson at the Leigh campus of the Southend Adult Community College, in Elm Road, to find they had a new student – a man claiming to be blind.

As the nude model for their life drawing session arrived, the blind man began to grope her in front of the shocked class.

But both people were actors, filming undercover as part of a new prank television programme, belived to be for Channel 4.

One of those present, who asked not to be named, said: “They taped up all the windows and set up secret cameras before the people arrived. They then filmed these people in their class without their knowledge or consent to see their reaction.

“The public saw a blind man groping a nude female life subject with his hands. The blind person and nude woman were actually part of the team.

“People got up and walked out in disgust, shouting at staff members.”

The police were called by the angry students, who did not see the funny side of the staged prank. The college is now in discussions with Channel 4 and Zeitgeist Productions, which is making the show, to ensure that it is not shown on television.

Linda Nash, spokesperson for the college which also appears to have been duped by the film company, said: “Southend Adult Community College agreed in good faith to participate in a project which we were informed was aimed at challenging people’s attitudes to disability.

“We were shocked and surprised to discover the filming that took place within the class did not reflect the brief supplied by Zeitgeist Productions.”

She added: “We now feel, along with our students, that Zeitgeist Productions had no genuine intention of challenging people’s perceptions on disability.

“We have contacted both Zeitgeist Productions and Channel 4 and will take every possible action to prevent it being shown.”

One Leigh resident, who also asked not to be named, was outraged when she heard about the incident through a friend who attends the classes.

She said: “These classes aren’t cheap and cost about £300, so you don’t expect this sort of thing to happen.

“A lot of the people who take the lessons are elderly and were absolutely disgusted by what they saw.”

Essex police confirmed they attended the incident on Thursday evening.

A spokesman said: “We were called shortly after 8pm following concern regarding an incident at the adult community college.

“Officers arrived and offered words of advice to the person. No offence was committed.”

Channel 4 was unavailable for comment.