POLICE yesterday scrambled their helicopter to help in the search of a naked man who was seen walking along a public footpath - but the strolling streaker eluded all efforts to find him.

The hunt was mounted around Stanley in County Durham after a passerby saw a man walking casually along the Sustrans footpath between Annfield Plain and Stanley, County Durham, at 3.50pm.

Duty Sergeant Steve Armstrong said: "The man described as being in his 30s ran way when he was spotted. There was no suggestion there were any sexual connotations.

"Members of the dog squad and other police officers mounted a search of the path and surrounding woodland.

"When the naked man was spotted again an hour later walking further along the path the helicopter was called in to help."

The helicopter was seen hovering along the length of the footpath for about 20 minutes, before the search was called off.

There was no further description of the quarry.