Parisian authorities have finally called time on the long tradition of couples attaching love locks to the railings of the Pont des Arts.

There are an estimated one million locks, weighing about 45 tonnes, on the bridge at present, creating a serious danger to the bridge's structural integrity. Last year a part of the railing collapsed under the weight of the mementos.

Removal will begin on Monday, when the metal grilles on either side will be replaced temporarily by paintings, and then permanently by transparent panels later in the year.

A statement from the Parisian city council said the issue "has led to two big problems: significant damage to our heritage, and a risk to visitors' security."

The council had previously encouraged tourists to take selfies instead of attaching locks, but this campaign met with little success.

In Ireland, Dublin City Council teamed up with a local lock-picking group last August to clear love locks with had appeared on the Ha'penny Bridge.