Coming to Dorset... the naked ramblers

11:28am Monday 21st May 2007

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NAKED walkers are preparing a charity trek along Dorset's coast.

At least 20 nudists plan to bare all during the hike between Lulworth and Swanage - giving other walkers more than just a view of the county's coastline.

Walk leader Chris Lamb, 62, joined ramblers Stephen Gough, 47, and Melanie Roberts, 35, for part of their naked trek from Land's End to John O'Groats last year. He said: "I'd like to think of it more as a clothes optional walk.

"If the weather is bad we'll wear clothes but if it's hot we'll be naked. I'm going to be doing the walk whatever the weather. The main aim is to raise money for the Marine Conservation Society."

And the married father-of-three reckons it is a perfect route as there are few villages, towns or buildings along the way. He said: "There is no law in this country that says you can't be naked. You must just not expose your genitals with the intention of offending people "The law is aimed at stopping flashers who jump out to get an kick out of alarming people. If you don't intend to alarm people then there is no problem.

"If someone is alarmed then you put your clothes on but I would normally just carry on unless a person is obviously upset by it.

"The majority of people are intrigued. They say why are you walking without any clothes? Some people find it a bit strange.

"If you suddenly put your clothes on when people are approaching it looks like you're doing something wrong and you're not."

Mr Lamb, an information management consultant, said Melanie Roberts, girlfriend of naked rambler Stephen Gough, had agreed to do the 20-mile walk.

He said: "I walked with Steve for about a week between Land's End and John O'Groats and although I walked the distance we went different routes.

"He can't do the walk because he's still in jail in Scotland but his girlfriend has expressed an interest."

Earlier this month Mr Gough was jailed for three months for causing a breach of the peace in Scotland by walking naked though a public place.

Marianne Steele, fundraising manager for the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We are delighted that British Naturists have decided to make us their charity of the year."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "The law is that you should not cause alarm.

"This is the first we've heard about it but we are hoping to work with organisers so we can put out warnings to the public about this - because if it's a nice sunny day there will be other walkers along the coast path."

Anyone interested in taking part in the walk should meet at Swanage Pier at 9am on June 2.

For more information contact Mr Lamb on 0208 778 2851.