WALKING around naked in the comfort of your own home or sunbathing topless in the garden might not seem like a big deal.

       But tanning in the buff or answering the door naked could get you in trouble - here's what the law has to say about it.

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       Sunbathing topless is not illegal, but could get you in trouble if you're not discreet Is it illegal to sunbathe topless in the garden?

       Under the law, it's technically legal to be naked anywhere in the UK, unless the nudity is to cause shock, outrage or upset.

       For it to become illegal, it needs to be proven that the stripping off was done deliberately.

       This means it is legal for you to be naked in your own back garden, as long as you're not doing so to upset your neighbours.

       So if you're thinking of sunbathing in the nude, make sure your neighbours can't overlook or wouldn't mind.

       According to the Crown Prosecution Service "a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress".

       Is it illegal to be nude in your own home?

       Under UK law, it is not illegal to answer the door to your home in your underwear or walk around the house in the buff.

       This means even if you're visible through a window, you aren't technically breaking the law.

       But if the nudity becomes a regularity and if your neighbours complain to the cops enough, the authorities might take action against you.

       However, you should be careful if you're naked and seen performing a sex act from the street - this act can be classed as an offence against the law.

       As with sunbathing naked in your garden, it is advised you are discreet when wandering around your house nude.

       Can I be naked in public?

       UK law allows you to be naked in pubic, but as with being nude at home you need to be discreet.

       If you're keen to sunbathe topless whilst out in your local park, you need to make sure you follow the rules to keep you out of trouble.

       The law is essentially the same as being naked at home - you can't cause outrage, distress of alarm.