PERU warned on Tuesday that it will seek criminal charges against Greenpeace activists who damaged the world-renowned Nazca lines by leaving footprints in the adjacent desert during a publicity stunt.

The activists laid out big cloth letters reading: “Time for change, the future is renewable.”

“It’s a true slap in the face for everything Peruvians consider sacred,” Deputy Culture Minister Luis Jaime Castillo said of Monday’s action at the famed drawings in Peru’s coastal desert.

He said the government would prevent those responsible from leaving the country while it seeks charges of “attacking archaeological monuments,” a crime punishable by up to six years in prison.

The activists entered a “strictly prohibited” area beside the famous figure of a hummingbird, the Culture Ministry said.

The message had been intended for delegates from 190 countries attending the UN climate talks in nearby Lima.

But Mr Castillo said that no-one, not even presidents and cabinet ministers, was allowed into the area without authorisation and those who did have permission had to wear special shoes.

The Nazca lines are huge figures depicting living creatures, stylised plants and imaginary figures scratched on the surface of the ground between 1,500 and 2,000 years ago.

Greenpeace spokeswoman Tina Loeffelbein claimed the activists had been “absolutely careful to protect the Nazca lines” and that the group was taking the case seriously.

“Peru has nothing against the message of Greenpeace,” said Mr Castillo.

“We are all concerned about climate change, but the means doesn’t justify the ends.”