Residents of Rome have reacted angrily after three women stripped down to their swimsuits to cool off in one of the city’s historic fountains.

The women, two of whom were wearing bikinis and the third in a one-piece swimsuit, are believed to have been tourists.

With temperatures hitting 90F (32C) the women thought the best way to cool off was to frolic under the jets of water in the 400-year old Fontana dell'Acqua Paola in Rome.

It dates back to 1612 and was featured in the opening scenes of Paolo Sorrentino's Oscar-winning film “The Great Beauty”.