Rubbing statues for luck puts people at risk of developing sepsis and conjunctivitis, the first study of bacteria on monuments has shown.

Experts swabbed 24 statues in 13 cities across Europe including the lions in London’s Trafalgar Square and the Paddington Bear bronze at Paddington station and found huge levels of bacteria.

Some of the bacteria detected, such as Staphylococcus, can lead to infections including sepsis, conjunctivitis, cystitis and endocarditis.

A statue of Sherlock Holmes, near Baker Street in West London, the feet of which are regularly touched by tourists, had a large presence of Staphylococcus.

And the Trafalgar Square lions carried bacteria that are usually only found on people’s shoes, suggesting people had been climbing.

The team also found Pseudomonas, which may cause folliculitis and ear canal infections.