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Three adventurous travellers have sparked a new global craze - for topless holiday snaps.

Olivia Edginton, Lydia Buckler, 21, and Ingvild Marstein Olsen, 20, have won thousands of fans across the world with 'The Topless Tour' project. 

And now scores of people around the world are following their lead by shedding their tops for the camera and posting the photographs online.

Around the world: Ingvild, Lydia and Olivia pictured topless in Norway for part of their tour

Global tour: Ingvild, Lydia and Olivia show their faces during their craze of snapping topless photos

Internet craze: The Topless Tour has sparked others to take part - including students from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, pictured outside the Royal Naval College in London

However, the photographs are tamer than the name would indicate – with only the women's backs displayed.

Explaining the concept, Olivia, 20, said: 'The Topless Tour is the opening of your bare chest and heart to the world. 

'It sounds really cheesy on paper, but it really connects you with the people you love. The experience is a whirlwind of different emotions and it's so nice to share it with others.

She added: 'Our family and friends are really supportive. Most of them have even taken part themselves. 

'Everyone is very proud of the message, our parents think it's really refreshing for young women to be embracing who they are and love for their body. It is something we don't hear enough about these days.'

A bit chilly: Ingvild and Olivia brave the cold whether while skiing in Norway

Landmarks: The three women, pictured topless in Berlin, Germany, have won thousands of fans across the world

Adventurous: Ingvild, Lydia and Olivia pose topless in Teufelsberg in Berlin, Germany

The girls, who live together in Greenwich and study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, have so far posed topless in Oslo, New York, Manchester, Berlin and London.

They have 4,000 followers on their Instagram account and their Facebook page has received thousands of likes and hundreds of picture submissions from 28 countries - including as far away as USA and Australia and even Pakistan and Palestine.

Lydia, originally from Stratford-upon-Avon, added: 'The Topless Tour isn't just our story anymore, it's becoming a part of so many adventures and lives. 

'It is so humbling to know that we are in some way responsible. We are very excited about its future as it has so much potential and can't wait to see what is in store.

Unique view: Olivia and Ingvild pose upside-down while in the Lake District

The right way round: Olivia, Lydia and Ingvild in Norway have so far posed topless in Oslo, New York, Manchester, Berlin and London

Pernille, Ingvild and Ingvild pose topless in Primrose Hill in London

'Some people are a bit apprehensive when we ask them to join the tour but when it's all over they say they absolutely love it. It's one of those moments where time just stands still. It is so addictive.' 

The Topless Tour was established in Christmas 2012 while the girls visited Ingvild's hometown of Brumunddal and were taken for a walk around nearby Lake Mjøsa, the largest in Norway.

Ingvild said: 'We had been for a walk around the lake and very spontaneously decided to see how cold we could really feel - it was then we lost our topless virginity. 

'It was surprising to see how much your body adjusted to the temperature, it felt so natural, so free. We soon became addicted.

Cold weather: Ingvild, Lydia and Olivia posing in the rain in Grimsdalen, Norway

'So far we haven't got in too much trouble, we get the occasional tut and shake of the head, but generally the response is surprisingly more positive.

'We still always seem make people smile and laugh - especially when we're on skis.'

The Topless Tour is now planning to visit Italy, Croatia and Sweden this summer to further spread the word - and are hoping to have hundreds of thousands of hits by the end of the year.