guidebooks could include advice for tourists not to rub the nose of Greyfriars Bobby in future, publisher Lonely Planet has said.

The statue on George IV Bridge has become subject to a “tradition” in recent years which sees people rubbing its muzzle, allegedly for good luck.

But this has resulted in paint being worn away and the local authority having to repair the damage.

A new campaign launched on Facebook shortly after this year’s festival season started, called Save Bobby’s Nose, discourages people from the act.

Now, Lonely Planet has said it will highlight efforts to stop the trend with authors.

A spokesman for the guidebook publisher said: “We’ll pass this information on to our editorial team and it will be flagged to the author when we compile the next edition of the relevant guide.”

Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye terrier who became known in the 19th-century for supposedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of its owner until dying in 1872. A year later, a drinking fountain topped with Bobby’s statue was erected near Greyfriars Kirk to commemorate him. The monument is now Edinburgh’s smallest listed building.

The story was later turned into a popular children’s film by Disney.