WALES' First Minister Carwyn Jones has called on a newspaper to stop publishing pictures of topless women.

The Sun's Page 3 feature remains a controversial staple of Britain's biggest-selling tabloid since its introduction in the 1970s.

The newspaper has repeatedly insisted the feature is harmless fun - and remains popular with its readership.

But critics argue the publication of topless photos in a national newspaper is degrading to women - and has recently prompted more than 92,000 people to sign a petition led by campaign group No More Page 3.

Today, Wales' chief politician and father-of-two Mr Jones spoke about the issue during a question and answer session in the Welsh Assembly.

He was asked by fellow Labour AM Rebecca Evans whether he would lend his support to the cause.

He replied: "Yes, it's inappropriate in this day and age where a daily family newspaper carries photographs like it does on page 3.

"It belongs to a different era. It doesn't belong to this day and age.’’ And it appears that Mr Jones is not the only politician who is in favour of The Sun binning Page 3.

According to No More Page 3's website, 88 MPs and five members of the House of Lords have signed an open letter to Sun editor Dominic Mohan.

It says: "The largest female image in our most widely-read newspaper is of a semi-naked young woman.

"She is there purely for the sexual gratification of men. This is unacceptable.

"We want to live in a society where the most widely-read newspaper is one that respects women.

"Instead, The Sun publishes Page 3, which reduces women to objects.

"It reduces men to objectifiers. And it reduces this country to one that upholds 1970s sexist values.’’