Beach-goers have been left fuming after being warned they face a £1,000 fine if they take pebbles home from the seaside.
They could receive the hefty punishment if they remove shells from the shoreline too.
It is in line with the Coast Protection Act.
The act states that in the UK, it is unlawful to take any natural materials like sand, shells and pebbles from the beach, no matter the amount.
The law is in place to protect the environment.
Officials at Cumberland Council, in Cumbria have released a fresh warning – reiterating the law.
They say they have the power to enforce this rule across the county’s beaches and shoreline.
Cumberland Council says they are “dedicated to protecting the environment.”
It says that leaving pebbles and shells on the beach “contributes to climate efforts”.
To support this, the council is developing its first climate and nature strategy, as reported by Need To Know.
But angry local Lee Ruffle fumed: “Before you start fining folk for taking pebbles off the beach, you may want to fine water companies for spewing poo into the water.”
William Brown added: “The date of the act is 1949, yes that’s right 1949, 75 years ago.
“It was not designed to stop our kids enjoying the shore and taking home a little memento or for you to take a shaped stone for your garden.”
Cumberland Councillor Bob Kelly, Executive Member for Cumberland Policy and Regulatory Services, said: “I understand people’s reluctance to follow this guidance, as I have been a collector of shells myself.
”But taking a pebble or a shell from a beach, can in fact damage the environment.
“Pebbles and other natural matter act as a natural sea defence against coastal erosion, natural flood defences and wildlife habitats which many experts warn has become even more of an issue due to climate change.
“We are asking people to leave the pebbles, shells and sand as we all want to ensure that our beaches remain vibrant and intact for future generations.”
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