They can be a creative way of testing yourself whilst spending time on the beach.

If you are visiting Cogden, West Bay or Charmouth Beach, seeing somebody's attempt at rock stacking is a familiar sight.

Visitors to the beaches can spend many hours trying to see how high they can get their tower.

Despite humans using rocks as monuments for centuries, there are now worries that this trend could end up doing more harm than good to our beaches.

John Hourston, founder of the Blue Planet Society, is concerned that a combination of globalised mass tourism and a massive increase in social media use is affecting, if not already affected, our beaches.

John said: "Everyone wants to take a photo showing they have been to the areas.

"It has become so popular that we have reached plague proportions, which are now making a problem.

"20-30 years ago, this was not a problem."

John went on to say that the society is not calling for a ban on stone stacking, more they are calling for debate and to raise the issue.

John said: "If damage has not already been caused, it certainly will be.

"The visitors can disturb the nesting spot of sea birds, damage historic sites, the places where people go, they don't realise they have had an adverse impact on these sites, some of which are yet to be uncovered.

"Some places are covered in them (stone stacks)."

John and the Blue Planet Society are worried that should the issue not be discussed, there could be a problem in the future.

John said: "The society feels it needs to be discussed, as the potential for damage is huge.

"If we don't discuss it now, it will get worse.

"It's been going on for a decade, and has got worse with the increase of social media."

Rob Whittaker, a lecturer at London University and Charmouth resident for more than 50 years, started balancing stones some years ago as a hobby during his retirement after 28 years in education.

Mr Whittaker found stacking as a good form of therapeutic relaxation.

Rob said: "For some reason it seems to have caught on and lots of people, parents and children alike are having alike are having a go.

"It is amazing how so many Stone Henge-like formations appear overnight and tend to stay there for several days, respected by the public."

Stone stacking has also made its way into events in the region, with a yearly event titled Sculpture on the Beach being a popular event on the calendar.

Curtis Fulcher, director of Bridport Arts Centre who hosts the event, said: "Bridport Arts Centre hosts a family activity with the National Trust called Sculpture on the Beach every year, it is a great way for all the family to get creative and make something fun that compliments the landscape.

"Hopefully it is a healthier activity for children to be outside creating art than on mobile phones or gaming machines."