Naked protest over in flash

Protesters highlighted their belief that nudity was a human right

An attempted nude protest through central London ended as quickly as it began.

A group of men had vowed to highlight the case of Steve Gough, the "naked rambler" who was arrested during a walk from Land's End to John O'Groats.

They planned to take their clothes off in Selfridges department store in Oxford Street and then walk to Hyde Park to highlight their belief that nudity is a basic human right.

Five of the men simultaneously disrobed, but after walking through the shop to the main doors they were met by staff and police who told them to get dressed.

The case against Mr Gough, 44, who was arrested at the start of a walk from Land's End to John O'Groats was dropped on Thursday.

He was seized on 17 June while being interviewed by a television crew near St Ives in Cornwall.

Mr Gough, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, was charged with behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace and bailed to appear before Truro Magistrates' Court.

But Simon Jones, prosecuting, asked for the case to be withdrawn because Mr Gough - who did not appear in court - had not committed a criminal offence.

Mr Gough is still facing charges in Scotland where he is being held in custody after being arrested near Inverness.

Mr Gough planned to undertake the 847-mile trek dressed only in a hat, socks, boots and a rucksack to publicise his campaign for a change in the laws on nudity.