A man and woman are walking from London to the Outdoors Show in Birmingham – naked bar their boots, socks and rucksacks.

Fiona Lincoln and Mark Stephenson are undertaking the walk to publicise Oxfam’s Fabric 4 Life campaign, which is encouraging walkers to bring their old outdoor gear for refurbishment and resale. The pair, from Strood in Kent, say they will cover up only if the weather turns nasty or if asked to do so in populated areas.

They will walk along the Thames Path through Oxfordshire before heading for the Birmingham NEC, hopefully in time for the opening of the Outdoors Show on Friday.

Whether they make their deadline may owe as much to their luck in evading arrest as in their ability to keep up a steady pace. The best known naked rambler, Stephen Gough of Hampshire, is currently languishing in a Scottish jail and has been arrested numerous times for failing to put on his clothes while walking.

Mr Stephenson told the Metro newspaper: “As naturists we are completely comfortable in our own skin.”

Apart from the ill fated Mr Gough, other notable naked walkers include a couple called Karla and Stuart who took to photographing themselves on munro tops as nature intended. Sadly, their website was taken down, they said, due to ‘excessive media interest’.