A GROUP of men shocked a dog-walker as they ran into the sea naked this morning.

Daniel Green was walking his friend's West Highland Terrier, Bertie, along Brighton beach at about 10.30am.

He stopped to take a photo of the prized pet, but was shocked by what he saw next.

The 61-year-old said: "As I was approaching the Palace Pier I went to take some pictures of Bertie for his owner.

"Then, I swung the phone around and saw a group of about six naked men running into the sea a few hundred yards away.

"So, I took a photo and sent it to my friend because I thought it would be amusing."

Daniel said he assumed the group were part of a stag do, and that the swimmers were not there for long.

He said: "There were very few people down there at the time, and they can't have stayed in the water for more than 10 seconds.

"I just thought, typical Brighton, you go for a dog walk and you see everything.

"I took the picture then headed into town."

Daniel later posted the image on social media, where it received a mixed reaction.

One person commented: "Being liberal and open minded is one thing, but they appear to have no consideration for other people.

"On a designated nudist beach such behaviour is fine, but on the main beach in full view of children, I think not. Totally selfish."

Another added: "They are naked and not on the nudist beach.

"I wouldn’t be too happy if I was with my children and they were running around naked."

But, others disagreed.

One commenter said: "I'm pretty new to Brighton, but this is exactly why I love it, the acceptance.

"There's no judgement, freedom to just be."

Others expressed different views about the swimmers.

A commenter said: "To be honest, with how cold it is, everything's likely to have shrunk so not much to see here.

"Even the seagulls don't seem interested."