Hadrian’s Wall, which is the largest Roman archaeological feature in the world, was built between the River Tyne and Solway Firth under the orders of Emperor Hadrian in 122AD to keep the unconquered Picts out of the Roman Empire.

But nearly two millennia later, it is hoards of Instagramers who are breaching the antiquarian barrier, leaving one 10ft-long section at Steel Rigg in Northumberland, visited by thousands of tourists each year, in ruins.

Despite signs telling them not to, tourists continue to climb all along the 73-mile structure, which is as tall as 8ft in places and was made a world heritage site in 1987.

The National Trust, which cares for the Steel Rigg stretch, said a new £1.17 million project is being rolled out to “help visitors understand how they can play their part in helping preserve Hadrian’s Wall by walking next to and in the landscape that surrounds it – rather than on it.”