Italy's tradition minister says a vacationer who was filmed carving his and his girlfriend's names into the Colosseum in Rome must be "identified and sanctioned".

Gennaro Sangiuliano described the person's actions as "unworthy and a sign of great incivility".

Footage has appeared on-line of the vacationer - wearing a blue T-shirt and carrying a black rucksack - utilizing a set of keys to make his mark within the constructing, which is nearly 2,000 years outdated.

With his girlfriend by his aspect, he inscribes "Ivan + Hayley 23" earlier than turning and smiling on the digital camera.

Someone could be heard saying: "Serious, man? F***** up, man. Stupid a*******."

Mr Sangiuliano tweeted: "I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee.

"I hope that whoever did this can be recognized and sanctioned in response to our legal guidelines."

Should he be caught, the tourist risks a €15,000 (£12,875) fine and could be sent to prison, Italian news agency ANSA said.

In 2015, two American vacationers have been accused of carving their initials into the Colosseum.

The girls, from California, scratched the letters J and N with a coin, native newspaper Il Messaggero reported.

Afterwards the pair, reported to be 21 and 25, took a selfie.

They have been briefly held by Rome's police and questioned.

The 12 months earlier than, a Russian vacationer was fined for engraving the letter K in the Colosseum.