AS TEMPERATURES reached the dizzy heights of 19 degrees in Lancashire on Sunday, one hiker was ‘dressed’ for the occasion when he was spotted on Winter Hill.

The rambler was striding out, wearing only a pair of walking boots and a backpack.

Former headteacher Chris Hoddle came across the naked man on Sunday at about 10am.

He had gone out along Coal Pit Lane towards Winter Hill to carry out a risk assessment on the route for a walk that Belmont Primary School are planning on July 4 when he saw the bare man coming towards him.

Mr Hoddle of Smithills Road, Bolton, said: “I was doing the walk to make sure it was safe and secure for when the children come to do it.

“A dog came running past and was going crazy and I said to his owner that he needed to keep him under control and the owner said to me ‘It’s no wonder he’s scared given what’s walking behind you.’

“That’s when I turned round and saw the naked man walking towards me. It’s not what you expect to see on a Sunday morning walk.”

Mr Hoddle was head teacher at the primary school for 20 years and after retiring four years ago he still helps out.

He said: “I’m not quite sure what we would have done if we had seen it when the children were there, I don’t know how they would have reacted.”

Mr Hoddle did not start a conversation with the man as he strolled straight past but he did find time to get out his telephoto lens to snap a picture of him as he walked over the hill.

He joked: “It was a sunny day so I hope he had the appropriate suntan lotion on!”

In England and Wales it is not an offence to be naked in public, but it does become an offence if it can be proved that the person stripped off with the intention to upset and shock.

Do you know the naked man or have you seen him? Contact the News Desk on 01254 298205 or email lt_editorial@nqnw.co.uk. Alternatively, you can message us on Facebook via facebook.com/lancstelegraph or tweet us on Twitter @lancstelegraph.