AKIPRESS.COM - Two French tourists could be jailed after being caught with sand allegedly stolen from a Sardinian beach, Sky News reports.

The white sand was taken from the beach of Chia, in the island's south, and was crammed into 14 plastic bottles.

The bottles were found by police in the boot of the tourists' vehicle as they prepared to board a ferry to France

In total, there was 40kg of sand, police said.

According to Italian news agency Ansa, the tourists said they had taken the sand as a souvenir and were not aware they were breaking the law.

The pair could be jailed for up to six years on the charge of theft, with the aggravating circumstance of having stolen an asset destined for public utility, Ansa said.

Sardinia is blessed with many stunning beaches and the French tourists are not the first to try to bring some of that beauty home.