[andyadc]

I find it really odd that you say a lifeguard instructed her to put her top on.

It's never been illegal for a woman to be topless in the UK. In fact its not illegal for man or woman to be nude, unless there is intention to cause offence.

The thing is, the climate doesn't really lend itself to sunbathing in general most of the year, so we don't have the topless culture like Spain or France.

That said, in the last ten years I have seen women topless in:

Newquay/Cornwall
Falmouth/Cornwall
Torquay/Devon
Lowestoft/Suffolk
Great Yarmouth/Suffolk
Brighton/Sussex
Formby/Liverpool

Not saying its common, it isnt, but noone cares. Less than 5% topless at best.

But told to cover breasts ? Totally unlikely in my experience, would really like to hear of any extra detail on this.