A pair of women arrested by police after flashing their breasts at a CCTV camera have had charges against them dropped.

Abbi-Louise Maple, from Worthing, and Rachel Marchant, from Shoreham, were taken in by officers on July 16 after the pair lifted their tops and exposed themselves to a camera outside the Aquarena in Brighton Road, Worthing.

The woman were later charged with outraging public decency and ordered to appear in court.

But yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to drop the case, which would have cost taxpayers £10,000 a day if it had gone to a crown court trial.

A CPS spokesman said: "The chief crown prosecutor, Sarah Jane Gallagher, in consultation with Sussex Police, has subsequently reviewed the case and she has decided that to continue with the case would not be in the public interest.

"The case has therefore been discontinued."

The girls had told The Argus they were a bit "tipsy" when they flashed and said they thought they would give the camera operator a treat.

Abbi-Louise, who has aspirations to be a glamour model, said: "We thought he'd go, 'Oi, oi,' and it would have made his day.

"Breasts are everywhere these days - on the beach, in magazines, everywhere."

The man behind the lens was not amused and subsequently reported them to the police who arrested the women as they walked home.

The two friends, both aged 21, were kept at Worthing police station for four hours after their arrest.

They appeared before magistrates in Worthing where the prosecutor told the court the girls flashed near a children's play area when a group of 15-year-olds had been walking nearby.

The cheeky pair had denied the charges.

Critics had accused the CPS of wasting court and police time and taxpayers' money.

Speaking after the case was dropped, Abbi-Louise said: "I'm really pleased and just relieved it's all over.

"It's been silly but the law does what it has to do sometimes, whatever they think is right.

"They should be out catching rapists and perverts not two young girls having a bit of fun.

"It was ridiculous. The CPS made a right boob of themselves.

"I'm surprised they dropped the charges so quickly but they must have realised how silly it was.

"I'll be going out for a few drinks to celebrate but will be keeping well clear of any CCTV cameras. I've learned my lesson."

Their solicitor, Chris Chatterton, called it a "common sense decision".

He said: "We're all delighted. It's great news but never should have got this far in the first place."

Have the CPS made a common sense decision or should the women have faced a judge and jury? Let us know what you think. Leave your comments at www.theargus.co.uk.