Naked rambler and partner set off

The ex-marine set off with two companions on Thursday

The girlfriend of the man dubbed the "naked rambler" has joined him on his second attempt to walk the length of Britain in the nude.

Stephen Gough, 46, was arrested 14 times and served two jail sentences when he walked without his clothes from Land's End to John O'Groats in 2003/04.

On Thursday morning, the former Royal Marine set off from Land's End.

Melanie Roberts, 33, of Bournemouth, Dorset, and a Kent librarian, who does not want to be named, joined him.

As they set off in the cold and drizzle, Mr Gough made light of the conditions, saying: "You tend to heat up when you begin walking."

Hopefully those people teetering on the edge wanting to join me will come forward Stephen Gough

Mr Gough, of Bournemouth, said public attitudes to nudity had moved on since his first walk, but admitted he and his companions could still be arrested.

He said: "With the three of us, I don't really know. Of course when you get to a certain number the police are then much more wary of what you're going to do.

"Before even setting off this time there has been a lot of publicity so people are going to know it is happening.

"It is almost like I am a bit of a celebrity - people then treat you differently than if they don't know who you are."

Prosecution advice

Mr Gough, who estimates the walk will take two months if he and his fellow walkers are not arrested, would like it to become an annual event.

He said: "Hopefully with this one those people teetering on the edge wanting to join me will come forward."

Before setting off he toured the Land's End visitor centre, where the hiking boots he wore on his last walk are on display.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokeswoman said the force was waiting for advice from the Crown Prosecution Service on whether to take action against Mr Gough and his fellow hikers.