Varenna, a fishing village on the eastern shore of the lake, has introduced fines for anyone walking through the town bare-chested or in swimwear.

Visitors who breach the dress code face fines of up to €200 (£171) under measures designed to preserve the character of the village and limit the impact of tourism in the region, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Swimwear and going bare-chested will be permitted only on beaches, piers and boat docks. The new regulations also limit organised tour groups to a maximum of 25 people, with guides instructed not to obstruct the village’s narrow streets.

Tour guides have also been banned from using loudspeakers or other voice amplification devices. Anyone caught breaking the rule faces fines of up to €400 (£341).

Mauro Manzoni, Varenna’s mayor, said the rules were intended to ensure tourism did not come at the expense of residents’ quality of life.

He said: “Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. However, our residents’ quality of life cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mass tourism.”

The measures appear to have broad support among the village’s roughly 650 residents. One resident told TGCOM24: “You do what you want, but when walking around, entering a shop, a restaurant, a church, or a square, you must dress decently.”

Another added: “It’s not right to walk around half-naked in the town.”