Rome's mayor has issued a blanket ban on 'gladiators' from the Italian capital.

Actors dressing up as gladiators and centurions near tourist hotspots offer to pose for photographs with tourists for money.

Mayor Virginia Raggi issued the ban after a number of complaints accusing the actors and rickshaw drivers overcharging and even pickpocketing tourists, The Local reports.

The ban targets anyone attempting to portray a historical subject such as ancient Roman soldier in photographs or videos for cash.

Anyone caught breaking the new regulation will face a €400 fine as Rome's authorities attempt to "protect public order" and guard the capital's "cultural, artistic and monumental heritage".

The rickshaw ban applies to any vehicle partially or fully powered by pedals used to transport people around the city.

This is not first time gladiator impersonators have been banned in Rome, the latest regulations replace previous public orders which expired on November 30.

One centurion impersonator and father of two told the Italian newspaper Il Corriere: "In Verona, characters pay €10 in order to occupy land for a day; there's an online application and then they're allowed to work.

"Why isn't that possible in Rome?"

Rome authorities claimed unauthorised gladiators were able to make up to 12,000 Euros (£10,000) each month through overcharging tourists for holiday snaps.