HAMPSHIRE'S Naked Rambler Steve Gough has become the first man to walk in the nude from Land's End to John O'Groats.

The 44-year-old Eastleigh father of two reached John O'Groats shortly after 3pm yesterday, finishing a 900-mile walk which he began on June 16, 2003.

Local residents greeted Steve by showering him with champagne.

He was released from jail in Inverness a week ago and had been behind bars for about five months. During that time he remained naked in his cell.

Last night a triumphant Steve, who was back in his clothes, told the Daily Echo: "It has been like climbing Everest and losing my freedom has been worth it in getting across the message that there is nothing shameful about the human body."

Over the course of his nationwide nude trek, Steve has been arrested numerous times, has made several court appearances and has served two jail sentences.

Waiting for him at the end of his trip were the national media who have been avidly following his adventures.

Steve carried out his walk as a human rights protest. He wanted to celebrate the naked human form and convince the public to stop being "paranoid" about the naked body.

Speaking just before he reached John O'Groats, Steve said it would take time to change people's minds but he hoped the campaign would eventually be successful.

He said he was planning to stay the night in John O'Groats before heading south.

Steve has become famous throughout the entire length of the UK during his journey.

He has spent his time walking - often in near freezing temperatures - wearing only socks, walking boots, his hat and his rucksack.

Steve added: "I think tonight I'll have a really big meal because I haven't really eaten in the last few days. I ran out of food and ended up having to drink out of streams.

"I'll have to have a think about what I'm going to do next. This is just one step in the whole process of making people aware about our bodies because we are so paranoid about them."

Steve, who spent about five months in police cells over the course of his walk, has received a mixed reaction from the general public.

He was jailed twice after being convicted at trials in the Highlands after complaints were made to the police, he was attacked near St Ives on only the second day of his journey and he was arrested about 16 times.

However, he managed to make the final leg of his journey without any police interference.

As he drank from a bottle of champagne, Steve was given a warm reception by locals at John O'Groats.

One resident, 61-year-old Sandra Sinclair, said: "It's a free country and I don't think it's offensive. You've only got to look at the TV every night and there's far worse than that.

"Apart from anything else, he's brought a lot of trade to John O'Groats at a time of year when we are never busy."

Resident Larna Green, 55, said: "We are told what to do too much in this country and I'm very pleased for him. I'm delighted that he made it."

After speaking with the crowd, Mr Gough went into a nearby hotel for one of his first proper dinners in the past seven months.