PIC: Anne Hathaway showed off her baby bump at the beach

Los Angeles - Pregnant Anne Hathaway has shared a bikini picture on Instagram.

The 33-year-old actress is expecting her first child with husband Adam Shulman and decided to treat her fans to a shot of her blossoming baby bump on the social networking site.

The photo shows Anne on the beach wearing a red two-piece, tenderly cradling her stomach with a huge smile on her face.

She wrote alongside the picture: "Happy 2016 to my beautiful Instafriends! So, posting a bikini pic is a little out of character for me, but just now while I was at the beach I noticed I was being photographed.

"I figure if this kind of photo is going to be out in the world it should at least be an image that makes me happy (and be one that was taken with my consent. And with a filter:) Wishing you love, light and blessings for the year ahead! Annie. (sic)"

The picture marks the first time Anne has publicly acknowledged the pregnancy, despite being seen displaying her changing shape in New York in recent weeks.

Anne has become one of Hollywood's most sought after leading ladies over the years, with roles in films such as Les Misérables and The Devil Wears Prada under her belt.

But when she becomes a mother, the actress is apparently planning to take a break from the industry to concentrate fully on her new arrival.

A source told Britain's Closer magazine recently: "Anne can't wait to be a mum. She's been wanting it for a long time and waited until the right time to take a break from Hollywood.

"She feels she's achieved so much already, it's time to take a break from acting.'' concentrate on being a full-time mum."