Polo streakers raise eyebrows

A naked dash across the pitch briefly halts an England-v-Australia match in front of a celebrity audience.

The annual Cartier International polo bash is one of those jolly English affairs on the summer social calendar.

The royal, the rich and the famous rub shoulders as the champagne flows.

Harry Potter star Emma Watson, Bond girl Rosamund Pike and singer Natalie Imbruglia were among the 25, 000 spectators who turned out to watch this year's showdown between England and Australia, hosted by the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles.

It's also marked the start of another summer tradition - the streaking season.

The sound of high society choking on its Pimms was almost audible as the exuberant exhibitionist took to the pitch.

Two other streakers not quite so bold strutted their stuff in the grandstand where they'd fled without reaching the field of play.

Officials say the streakers were rather violating the dress code for the event.

There has been no reaction from Prince Charles but it's possible an eyebrow was raised during the brief interruption to play.

Paul Chapman, Reuters