This is the baffling moment a commuter stripped completely naked to have a ten-minute morning wash on a filthy bank of the River Thames.

The unknown man brazenly ditched his smart work clothes and began scooping the murky water out of the river and pouring it over himself - while giving himself a good scrub.

Bystanders were stunned at the sight of the 'barmy' nude man, who picked a bit of the southern bank of the Thames near the Woolwich Ferry for his 9am dip on Tuesday.

This is the baffling moment a commuter stripped completely naked to have a ten-minute morning wash on a filthy bank of the River Thames

One worker, who asked not to be named, said: 'I've been getting the Woolwich Ferry to work for 15 years and I've never seen anything like this before.

'The bloke walked up, wearing normal, smart work clothes.

'Bold as brass he stripped off everything and started washing himself in the river.

'He was stood there as if he was on Malibu Beach in the middle of summer, not the grotty south bank on a miserable March morning.

'It was hilarious - he was just scooping water up with a can and pouring it over himself.'

Bystanders were stunned at the sight of the 'barmy' nude man, who picked a bit of the southern bank of the Thames for his 9am dip on Tuesday

After washing himself for about ten minutes, the man dried himself off.

He then put his clothes on and walked away - across the boggy silt which made his legs and trousers dirtier than they were before, according to a witness.

The red-faced witness added: 'I was embarrassed for him - I think everyone that saw him was.

'It was pretty funny though - I've never seen anything like this before.

'It's just barmy. Especially because he looked like he was on his way to work.'