They have become a symbol of ever lasting love for romantic couples on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris.

But lovers will no longer be able to leave a padlock on the bridge over The Seine as a romantic token after today when the council began tearing down the mementos.

City workmen, armed with bolt cutters, began unceremoniously cutting open the 'love locks' over fears that the sheer weight of the padlocks was putting the 19th century structure at risk.

So Oyibo dey lock love like some Naija voodoo girls

....people wey de sell padlock for Paris. sorry oo. its not gonna be business as usual.