JENNIFER ANISTON - ANISTON AT THE CENTRE OF TOPLESS PHOTO ROW

Lawyers for JENNIFER ANISTON are threatening legal action, after learning that snapshots of the actress sunbathing topless in her home are in circulation.

The former FRIENDS star's legal team is warning the world's media outlets that they face lawsuits if they buy the photographs in question, which were taken by a paparazzo.

The lawyers say publications on both sides of the Atlantic could face invasion-of-privacy lawsuits if they use the shots, according to a letter obtained by the Smoking Gun website.

The letter from Aniston attorney JOHN LAVELY reads: "If you are approached and offered the right to acquire and publish (any) of the photographs, please inform the undersigned of the name and contact information of any person or persons who are offering to sell or licence any of the photographs.

"Publication of the photographs would not only expose you to substantial damages but you will also be held liable for the embarrassment and emotional distress caused to Ms Aniston by such publication."

In 2002, Aniston settled a long-running lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against Man's World Publications which ran photos of her sunbathing topless in her backyard.