Author could face fine for beach pebbles

DORCHESTER, England, April 3 (UPI) -- A British author who admitted to taking pebbles from a South Coast beach could face a fine of nearly $4,000.

Ian McEwan said he took pebbles from the Dorset beach as part of the research for his latest book, "On Chesil Beach," The Telegraph reported Tuesday.

However, Chesil Beach is protected by the British government as a site of special scientific interest, and hefty fines are imposed for anyone caught taking even a single pebble from the beach.

"Anyone removing pebbles could face a fine of up to £2,000," which equals $3,950, said educational organizer Hazel Griffiths.