The Sun ends 44-year tradition of Page Three topless models

Daily British tabloid The Sun has reportedly decided to stop featuring topless women on Page 3.

The Times, which like The Sun is owned by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News UK, reported on Tuesday that last Friday's edition of the tabloid would be the last to feature a topless model after 44 years.

With no official confirmation from News UK, it was suggested that executives were waiting to assess the response before committing to an absolute position.

Campaigners have been pushing for the feature to be scrapped, labelling it sexist, harmful to children and out-of-date. Unison, the Scottish and Welsh parliaments, Mumsnet, and Girlguiding UK are among those who have backed The No More Page 3 group.

The group’s founder, Lucy-Anne Holmes said she hoped The Sun would not simply replace the feature with women in underwear.

"I'm not going to stand here and say: 'There's going to now be women in underwear on page three and isn't that great…'"

"The Sun hasn't suddenly decided that women say, think and do interesting and incredible things, it's still basically saying women are here for decoration, but it's a step in the right direction."