A NAKED rambler was nabbed after he was spotted by an off-duty policeman.

Detective Inspector Geoff Smith was cycling along a footpath near Lanchester, County Durham on Sunday afternoon when he was stunned to see the cheeky man wearing nothing but a rucksack on his back.

Det Insp Smith, of Durham Constabulary said: "I know the weather was very warm, but that was ridiculous."

He summoned colleagues who came to arrest the naked hiker."

Within minutes, two patrol cars containing three officers arrived and the hapless walker was arrested as he approached Lanchester.

When the nude man realised he was about to be arrested, he desperately tried to cover his private parts by taking his shorts out of his rucksack.

At the time, the area was busy with dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists and families enjoying the warm weather on the former railway path between Consett and Durham.

Det Insp Smith said: "I could not believe what I had seen.

"The man was wearing nothing apart from a rucksack on his back and strolling along the path in full view of anyone who was using it.

"The sight could have been very frightening and upsetting for people using the cycle track and walkway, including women and children.

"On Sunday there were countless people out walking dogs, walking to and from church, cycling or riding horses."

The arrest follows recent reports of a naked man being seen emerging from woods on to cycle paths.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said a man, 34, had been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and bailed pending further inquiries.