Tourists can fall foul of foreign laws simply by feeding pigeons or chewing gum on trains, the UK Foreign Office has warned.

Donning military-style camouflage clothing or slipping into a bikini can lead to fines in some areas, while eating near churchesis forbidden in the Italian cityof Florence.

Although the warnings are aimed at Brits, they could also come in handy for Maltese.

The list of unusual laws and customs includes:

Venice – feeding pigeons is against the law;

Japan – it is illegal to take some commonly available nasal sprays containing pseudoephedrine into the country;

Barcelona – it is against the law to wear a bikini, swimming trunks or to go bare-chested away from the beach front area of the city;

Singapore – chewing gum is strictly prohibited on the Mass Rapid Transit system;

Barbados – it is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing:

Maldives – public observance of religions other than Islam is prohibited for non-Maldivians and visitors.

UK consular services director, Charles Hay, said: “What is legal at home could be subject to a fine or even a jail sentence in another.”