A topless woman appears on Page 3 of The Sun newspaper for the first time in almost a week, bringing to an end speculation that the paper had dropped the long-running feature.

It had been widely thought the controversial segment had ended after 44 years, moving online to the paper's website and this week Government ministers welcomed the move.

But today's paper shows 22-year-old Nicole from Bournemouth winking and baring her breasts.

Under the headline "Clarifications and Corrections" the paper states: "Further to recent reports in all other media outlets, we would like to clarify that this is Page 3 and this is a picture of Nicole, 22, from Bournemouth.

"We would like to apologise on behalf of the print and broadcast journalists who have spent the last two days talking and writing about us."

The No To Page 3 campaign group, who had all but declared victory in their battle to have the feature axed, said the "fight might be back on".

Writing on their Facebook page they said: Thanks to The Sun for all the publicity they've given the campaign."

The paper, Britain's best-selling tabloid, had not published pictures of topless glamour models since Friday, instead advising readers the pictures would be available on its website.

After reports the paper had decided to quietly drop the feature, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Liberal Democrat women's and equalities minister Jo Swinson were among those to express their delight at the apparent change.

Despite claims earlier this week in The Times newspaper, owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns The Sun, that the feature had been dropped, the tabloid's head of public relations Dylan Sharpe had refused to confirm the move.

He said it "is all just speculation, it is all wild speculation".

Former Page 3 pin-up turned bodybuilder Jodie Marsh, 36 last night said she was "happy" that the feature had seemingly been reinstated.

Writing on Twitter to the No More Page 3 group she said: "may I humbly suggest that you now put your time & effort into something that actually matters like campaigning against FGM..."