A NAKED rambler has been cleared of causing distress to a fellow cliff-top walker after his case was thrown out of court.

A Weymouth judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute naturist Bernard Vivian Boase, following his arrest in June.

Mr Boase, 63, was one of a group of 20 male nudists who stripped off for a summer cliff-top walk for charity.

The group hiked the Jurassic Coast path wearing just rucksacks and hiking boots.

Their naked ramble sparked a major police operation - a helicopter tracked the walkers' progress and around 10 uniformed officers saw the group off from Swanage.

Police arrested Mr Boase, a member of Naturists UK, on suspicion of breaching sections five and six of the Public Order Act 1986.

The Kingston Upon Thames resident - who did not appear at Weymouth Magistrates Court - was accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

Officers said it was for his refusal to clothe himself when told to do so.

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