The two backpackers, 32 and 35, fell foul of the city’s new public order laws, which seek to address problems associated with the city’s high levels of tourism through measures including a ban on picnics at certain landmarks.

A passerby reported the tourists to police, who slapped the pair with a €950 fine – around £850, BBC News reports.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: “Venice must be respected and those impolite people who come here and do what they want must understand that. Thanks to the local police, they will be sanctioned and removed.”

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges on Venice’s famous Grand Canal.