Four soldiers have been arrested after being caught cycling naked through the centre of Abingdon.

Police officers on night-time vehicle-check duty in the town spotted the soldiers and caught up with them in Park Crescent after a short chase down Ock Street and Victoria Road.

The naked quartet was arrested and taken back to Abingdon police station. There the soldiers admitted that they were from Dalton Barracks. They had spent a night drinking in the town before daring each other to cycle naked through the town centre. All four were privates of Four 4 Regiment Reme Workshops and were released without charge by police after they had sobered up in the cells.

Insp Graham Sutherland, of Abingdon police, was on duty when the naked soldiers appeared last week.

He said: " We were amazed at the sight of four naked cyclists heading towards us.

"They had been drinking and it was a prank that went wrong. When we eventually caught up with them they had nothing on - and no identification either.

"There were a few red faces when we delivered them back to the barracks. It was a warm night so they were not shivering."

Police have said they will not be taking any further but the army, while accepting that the incident was caused by high spirits, has said that it will be disciplining the soldiers.

Maj Roger Walls said: "It was high spirits which they did for a laugh but it went a bit too far. Fortunately, at that time of night no-one saw them apart from the police.

"They have apologised and the police will not be taking the matter any further - but rest assured they will be facing disciplinary action for us."