������̳

A group of artists in New York have painted a group of 40 nude models in public to celebrate the human form.

The bodypainting session in Central Park was followed by a march along Broadway and a photo shoot in the city's Times Square.

Artist Andy Golub claimed New York was the only US city where the bodypainting day would be allowed.

However, he and a model were arrested in 2011 after a naked body art session in the city.

The brush with the authorities led model Zoe West to take legal action which led to the payment of a $15,000 (£8,835) settlement.

Public nudity as part of a performance or a show is permitted in New York. As the organiser, Golub was granted a licence to hold Saturday's event which had the agreement of police.

Golub says on his website that "art shouldn't be limited to canvases or bound to be in only indoor spaces. To me, art is about self-discovery and sharing it with people".

Organisers also offered members of the public a chance to have their bodies painted at an evening event to celebrate the day of nude body art.

Earlier this month, the World Bodypainting Festival was held in the Austrian town of Poertschach am Woerthersee, which was a created by artists from 47 countries.