While rolling stones may gather no moss, stones left stacked decoratively on a beach can accrue considerable ill will from nature-lovers.

Environmentalists have provoked ridicule online after demanding a crackdown on beach-goers who pile rocks for artistic pleasure as well as a boost to their mental health.

The Blue Planet Society, an activist group, was accused of giving conservation a “bad name” by claiming the hobby had reached “epidemic proportions” and ruined beauty spots.

Stone-stacking is an increasingly popular past-time which sees practitioners spending hours meticulously balancing rocks on top of one another.

Campaigners claimed the trend had exploded through “increased tourism and social media”, adding the “sheer number” of stacks posed “very real concern for wildlife”.

James Craig Page, an artist from Dunbar, East Lothian, who organises the European Stone Stacking Championships, said the process was meditative and helped children with ADHD.

He dismissed the criticism as “a little bit over the top”, suggesting activists had picked on a group who “love nature and encourage people to look after nature”.