Arguably single-handedly responsible for the term "cyberbabe", Lara became an overnight, worldwide icon as the star of the Indiana Jones-style Tomb Raider computer game.

The Nude Raider web ring

But in recent months it seems that a section of her fan base has taken its devotion to the curvaceous archaeologist a step too far by creating an extensive web ring of Internet sites devoted to amateur images of the character's "Nude Raider" alter ego.

Core Design - developers of all three Tomb Raider adventures - have decided enough is enough and are considering legal action in a bid to clean up Lara's presence on the Web.

The company is concerned that Tomb Raider fans searching the Internet for legitimate Lara Croft information could accidentally access "pornographic material" - an association Core says it is keen to avoid.

Lara Croft as her creators intended

A spokeswoman branded the sites "completely irresponsible".

"We are looking in to taking legal action. There are a number of Websites featuring the character, but there is one particular site which is causing most of the concern.

"We have a large number of young fans and we don't want them stumbling across the pictures when they do a general search for Tomb Raider."

The unofficial nudes will be particularly embarrassing in light of Lara Croft's recently elevated status to "ambassador for British scientific excellence" - according to Science Minister Lord Sainsbury.

Speaking last December, he said: "I use her as an example of one of the great success stories in this country."