Topless sunbathing in and around Worthing is on the wane, according to beach authorities.

Beach inspector Tim Smalley said: "There does seem to be less topless sunbathing this year.

"In the past two or three months, with the hot sun, there has been some but nowhere near as many people doing it as in previous years."

Mr Smalley said it was the men who seemed now to be peeling off their traditional beachwear - a practice frowned upon by the borough council.

He said: "On Sunday I went out and came back on the beach and there was a bloke walking along and his trunks were right down so the whole crease of his bottom was showing, to the top of his thighs. It's not the done thing.

"We have had two or three nude men and we have had to tell those and young ladies wearing thongs to cover up.

"In terms of topless women, that's fine. But there doesn't seem to have been as many this year."

The revelation will come as a surprise to some residents who believe going topless is a no-no.

David Slade, of Kennet Close, Worthing, said he had noticed "a distinct change of scenery down on our local beaches recently" and had an embarrassing time with his young children at Goring Gap two weekends ago.

He said: "I thought I needed my glasses checked but I noticed a number of ladies topless on the beach that day.

"It's not a problem for me if it catches my eye.

"However, I have young children to look after and I did my utmost to protect them from this view in order to avoid trying to explain this to them."

However, Worthing Mayor James Doyle defended women's right to go topless in the sweltering heat.

At 38 the youngest mayor in Worthing's history, Mr Doyle said: "I think if people are brave enough to go topless on the beach that's fine.

"Most people will have been abroad and seen that sort of thing and got used to the sight."

Coun Doyle, said his wife, Worthing police sergeant Mel, had sunbathed topless and he had no problem with it.

He said: "My opinion is that children tend not to notice these things anyway. I think they are too busy kicking balls around.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and embarrassment is also in the eye of the beholder."