A "naturist" who liked to along a seafront with only a small piece of fabric shielding his modesty has been ordered to desist by a district judge.

Anthony Harris, 54, was twice stopped by police officers wearing nothing but the small piece of material on the Marina in St Leonards, East Sussex.

District Judge Roger Ede, sitting at Hastings magistrates' court, told Harris that he must not go for his coastal rides unless he covers up with at least a pair of swimming trunks.

Judge Ede imposed a sexual offences prevention order banning Harris, of St Leonards, from appearing anywhere in public without trousers, short trousers or swimming trunks fully covering his genitals and buttocks.

The order, which is similar to an anti-social behaviour order, will last for five years.

Nigel Barry, Sussex Police's ASBO coordinator, said: "Obviously the sight of a nearly naked man cycling along the seafront, naturist or not, would be enough to potentially cause alarm or distress.

"As such, the matter was referred to the Anti Social Behaviour Team and we decided that an application was just and proportionate. The District Judge agreed."