NATURISTS have accused Dorset police of a heavy-handed', over-the-top response to a nude coastal ramble in Purbeck.

A string of complaints on both sides, including at least one logged with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has resulted from the charity nudist event this summer.

Uniformed police officers met some 20 walkers at Swanage and chaperoned them in shifts 20 miles along the Jurassic Coast coastal path to Lulworth Cove.

Being naked is not an offence in itself, but causing alarm or distress by being unclothed can breach section five of the public order act 1986.

As the nudists - dressed in only walking boots and rucksacks - trekked the route, they were asked to cover up if any other walkers approached.

Now, more than four months after the event the "heavy" police presence - codenamed Operation Thistle - has come under scrutiny.

Dorset Police is already investigating two complaints, and another nude walker, retired IT consultant Bernard Boase, 63, from Surrey, has gone public with his intention to complain to the IPCC.

Half-way through the walk he refused to dress and was arrested. A charge of harassment against him was later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

He described the police presence as completely unnecessary' and a waste of resources.' He added: "The second shift of officers got very heavy-handed, going up to passers-by suggesting that they might like to make complaints."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "The Jurassic coastal path is a busy tourist area with the path being used by more than 200 people on a summer Saturday, including significant numbers of children and older people. We received a total of 18 complaints from the public about nudity during the walk."

He added: "The minimum number of extra officers - four at any one time -- have been used."

Malcolm Boura, research liaison officer for British Naturism, said the organisation had been contacted by a number of people seeking legal advice following the event in June.

"It struck us as pretty ridiculous the way things turned out," he said. "It was very much over-the-top. The police going out and effectively soliciting complaints struck me as really unacceptable."

He said one member of British Naturism had a complaint outstanding with the IPCC, and another had one in preparation.