Thousands of padlocks have been removed from Rome's Ponte Milvio bridge in an attempt to protect the ancient structure. Police armed with bolt cutters have started to remove the "love" padlocks ...

And this week, council authorities in Rome are proving the point – by clearing the Ponte Milvio bridge of the items ... also caught on in other areas of Italy, and cities across Central and ...

Couples have been decorating the Ponte Milvio bridge on the river Tiber with locks for several years. They are meant to symbolise the locking of hearts, inspired by a story described in a novel.

Couples have been decorating the Ponte Milvio bridge on the river Tiber with locks for several years. They are meant to symbolise the locking of hearts, inspired by a story described in a novel.

In Federico Moccia's cult novel, I Need You, a young couple write their name on a padlock, attach it to a lamp post on Ponte Milvio, kiss and then throw the key into the swirling waters of the Tiber.