Chorley couple fined £1,000 after failing to quarantine following Canary Islands holiday

The UK removed Spain from its list of safe countries to travel to after fears were raised that the European country was experiencing a second wave of coronavirus infections.

It meant those returning from the country would have to self-isolate for two weeks upon their return to the UK.

But one couple in Chorley - who have not been named - reportedly failed to stick to the rules, resulting in them being slapped with a £1,000 fine.

Police said the decision was not made lightly, but they "must be clear that Lancashire is in the midst of a pandemic."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "You will all know that the North West currently has some of the highest coronavirus rates in the country and we continue to be out and about across the county to engage and explain - and where necessary enforce the regulations

"As part of this we have recently issued a £1,000 fine to a couple from Chorley who had returned from the Canary Islands but then failed to quarantine for the required period.

"The regulations are there to prevent the virus spreading, protect people's health, and keep everyone safe and we won't hesitate to enforce where we need to. We will continue to engage with people and explain the rules, but we will enforce them and issue fines."