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<font color=green>Emerald Angel<br><font color=mag
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PARIS (Reuters) - Sun worshippers in the up-market French Mediterranean resort of La Grande-Motte are being told to cover up when they step off the beach, or else face a fine.
Under pressure from local shopkeepers who believe the sight of semi-naked -- mainly male -- bodies into their stores may upset the genteel retirees who favor the town, the mayor's office has issued local police with 500 T-shirts to hand out to men and women wearing only swimwear.
People may be handed a T-shirt the first time they are caught parading their flesh through the town, but a second violation results in a fine of up to 38 euros (dollars). "We've got far fewer people who walk around unclothed now," said Jean-Michel Weiss, deputy police chief in La Grande-Motte, located between Montpellier and the picturesque Camargue region. "People have understood the message."
There have been no fines since the campaign began on July 13, and only 60 warnings given.
Under pressure from local shopkeepers who believe the sight of semi-naked -- mainly male -- bodies into their stores may upset the genteel retirees who favor the town, the mayor's office has issued local police with 500 T-shirts to hand out to men and women wearing only swimwear.
People may be handed a T-shirt the first time they are caught parading their flesh through the town, but a second violation results in a fine of up to 38 euros (dollars). "We've got far fewer people who walk around unclothed now," said Jean-Michel Weiss, deputy police chief in La Grande-Motte, located between Montpellier and the picturesque Camargue region. "People have understood the message."
There have been no fines since the campaign began on July 13, and only 60 warnings given.