FANS of hit musical Mamma Mia! are facing fines of nearly £1,000 for pinching pebbles off a beach featured in the film.

Officials on Greek island Skiathos took action to prevent stunning Lalaria Beach being stripped bare.

Cops are busting tourists who pocket the marble-like pebbles after the release of movie sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again sparked a new surge in visitors.

Souvenir hunters are being warned on boats then searched at the airport.

Harbour master Nikolaos Katsambas said: “We hope the fines have a deterrent effect. The message is out, ‘Take a picture, not a pebble’. There’s no excuse.”

Town spokesperson Athina Papageorgiou said:“On the back of the tourism surge there’s been a noticeable decline in the stones. It may be a small thing to take one here and there, but when that is repeated multiple times the result is there is nothing left.”

Thodoris Tzoumas from the island's cultural association added: “The bigger pebbles have disappeared at an alarming rate.

It shot to global stardom, however, when Hollywood producers used Skiathos as one of the film locations for the original Mama Mia.

Ever since tourists – mostly from Britain– have been pouring in with ever growing numbers visiting to get married or renew vows.