A naked man disrupted the Olympic torch relay today after jumping out in front of an unsuspecting runner while holding a fake flame.

The streaker, who had "Free Tibet" emblazoned on his back, was quickly covered in a blanket by police and led away from the event in Henley-on-Thames.

Children had been given time off school to watch the proceedings and were given a prime viewing spot on the banks of the Thames.

Local businessman Gary Boys said: "The whole town had turned out to watch, it was a massive event for the town and it was packed. With the river as a backdrop this man ran out from the lines of people carrying a fake torch.

"He was completely naked and had 'Free Tibet' written on his back. When he ran in front of the torch the police were a bit slow to react, he looked like he was part of the gig."

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said a man was arrested and taken into custody.

Earlier Sir Steve Redgrave took the Olympic torch relay from dry land to the river Thames as he carried the flame on board a rowing boat.

Britain's greatest ever Olympian took the torch onto an eights rowing boat, travelling downstream in front of thousands of cheering fans.

As the boat rowed downstream hundreds of other vessels followed closely behind. Among other torch bearers were 63-year-old headteacher Mark Chesterton, from Oxford.