Should topless sunbathing be allowed in your own garden?

But is it legal or appropriate for a woman to sunbathe in public topless to avoid tan lines?

A Huthwaite councillor has taken to Facebook to seek advice after complaints that women were sunbathing topless in the village.

In a tongue in cheek post Councillor Lee Anderson said: “ A few people have complained to me that during this hot weather some ladies have been sunbathing topless in their gardens in Huthwaite in full view of neighbours.

“Is this acceptable on your own garden?

Coun Anderson added; “I am taking these allegations very seriously and I have been offered the use of a drone to fly over and get to the bottom of things.”

A police spokesman said: “Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is not an offence for a person to appear naked in public but it becomes an offence if it can be proved that the person stripped off with the intention to cause distress, alarm or outrage.”

Police have suggested people who want to sunbathe naked should inform their neighbours first.