Naked cyclists were pelted with paintballs as they rode through the street during an event to celebrate body positivity.

A man armed with a paintball gun opened fire on riders taking part in the World Naked Bike Ride in St Louis, Missouri.

Witness Brian Krazer, who filmed the attack, said the man seemed angry about the display of nudity in the city’s Tower Grove Park.

“He shot the kid right in front of me three or four times and then pointed the gun at me,” he told local news channel WUSA9.

“I’m like, 'Whoah, no, I’m not even part of this'. Then he went out into the street. It was pretty scary.”

In pictures: Naked Bike Ride Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: Naked Bike Ride In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride-3.jpg Linda Sharkey In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride-2.jpg Linda Sharkey In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride.jpg Linda Sharkey In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride-8.jpg Linda Sharkey In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride-7.jpg Linda Sharkey In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride-6.jpg Linda Sharkey In pictures: Naked Bike Ride naked-bike-ride-5.jpg Linda Sharkey

The footage shows the man walking out in the road, aiming the gun at cyclists and repeatedly firing as they ride past him. Some can be heard shouting in pain as they are hit.

Andrea Hitsman, a volunteer on the planning committee for Saturday’s event, said no one was seriously hurt.

The attack “didn’t mar the event at all”, she added.

“Generally the ride is so positive. Thousands of people line the streets to watch it go by,” Ms Hitsman said.

Police said no arrests had been made.