Lancashire beauty hotspots empty over first weekend in new lockdown

People appeared to be adhering to the new national lockdown restrictions after Beacon Fell was pictured almost empty this weekend.

Earlier last week, on January 5, the Lancashire Police and the Mountain Rescue teams warned people to 'stay local', following an influx of visitors to Rivington Moor in dangerous conditions.

They added that gatherings of people would 'undoubtedly lead to a national rise in Covid cases'.

Passers-by branded the Lancashire woodland 'deserted' following recent warnings from the authorities.

Their statement said: "Under current restrictions, you must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse.

"If you need to travel you should stay local - meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or city where you live.

"We are appealing to people to stick to the guidelines and use some common sense. We are in the midst of a national pandemic and gatherings of this nature will undoubtedly lead to a national rise in Covid cases."

Under new national lockdown restrictions, people must not now leave their homes without a ‘reasonable excuse’.

The police are then able to take action against those who leave home and can be issued with a fine.