Florence has fired a fresh salvo in its perpetual battle against the effects of mass tourism by banning visitors from eating panini, pizza and focaccia on the pavement and on shop doorsteps.

Tourists who find themselves on the wrong side of the law, which comes into effect today, face fines of between €150-€500 (£135-£450).

The ban applies to streets and piazzas around a particularly popular delicatessen in the city centre - All’ Antico Vinaio, the Old Wine Merchant – which is situated between the Uffizi Galleries and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s medieval town hall.

Described by one food and travel magazine as “home of the world’s best sandwiches”, it has enjoyed a surge in popularity after being favourably reviewed on TripAdvisor, where it is related “excellent” by 79 per cent of contributors.

Like many Italian cities, Florence suffers from a dearth of public benches, so tourists often resort to squatting on the kerb or crouching in the doorways of shops and restaurants while grabbing a bite to eat.

Local businesses have long complained of the nuisance and the issue came to a head in August after a scuffle between the owner of a leather goods shop and a Spanish family camped out on his front step.