The man attempting to walk naked form Land's End to John O'Groats finally reached his destination today, cheered on by a group of local residents.

Stephen Gough, who has become known as the naked rambler, reached John O'Groats shortly after 3pm, after a 900-mile walk that has taken him more than six months.

Speaking as he approached his final goal, Mr Gough said he planned to take a dip in the sea, regardless of the driving rain and cold temperatures.

He said: "Quite often there are big points in our lives, such as getting married, when you think 'what am I going to do after that?'

"When that time arrives it can quite often be a bit of an anti-climax and so what I'm trying to do is just try to enjoy walking along and enjoy the moment because getting there is just another moment."

Mr Gough has been arrested numerous times, made several court appearances and has served two jail sentences. He has also had to endure the cold weather.

Earlier this month, he was jailed for breach of the peace and breaching bail conditions at Dingwall Sheriff Court after walking naked straight through the centre of Evanton, a sleepy Highland village in Ross-shire.

He also spent Christmas behind bars after being remanded in custody for breach of the peace in Easter Ross, Highlands, in December.

His exploits have attracted a great deal of media attention. A hoard of journalists from television, radio and print were waiting for him at the end of his trip, many of whom have followed his exploits for months.

Mr Gough, 44, a former Royal Marine from Eastleigh, Hampshire, undertook his walk as a human rights protest, in order to celebrate the naked human form, and to try to convince the public to stop being "paranoid" about the naked body.

Speaking just short of John O'Groats today Mr Gough said it would take time to change people's minds, but said he hoped the campaign would be successful.

He also said he was planning to stay the night in John O'Groats before putting his clothes back on and heading south.

Mr Gough has become famous across 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.

Mr Gough 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."