A popular tourist spot in Italy is threatening visitors with a €275 (approx. £240) fine if they stop too long to grab a selfie or two.

Portofino on the Italian Riviera has introduced no-waiting zones in bid to prevent people ‘lingering’ in popular beauty spots, the Mayor of the town, Matteo Viacava, claiming that tourists are causing “anarchic chaos” when they stop to take pictures, resulting in massive traffic jams and blocked streets.

The popular fishing comune is noted for its colourful houses that overlook the sea, with a number of locations in the area proving highly popular with visitors to the city, with people keen to take a picture to remember their visit.

Located near the north western city of Genoa, Portofino has a permanent population of just 500, but during the holiday season thousands descend, among them a number of famous faces, with the likes of Beyoncé, Cher and the Kardashian sisters spotted there.

But no matter who you are, the new rules apply, with Mayor Viacava deciding action is required. “The objective is not to make the place more exclusive but to allow everyone to enjoy our beauty,” he told The Times. “We want to avoid dangerous situations caused by overcrowding.”

The rules will remain in place during the holiday season and will end on October 15.