People flouting lockdown rules pictured in Heaton Park..officials warned them 'you cannot do that'

Heaton Park was busy today as people enjoyed the bank holiday sunshine but some were stopped from having picnics and barbecues.

Our pictures showed some people, rather than simply using the park for exercise as required by the lockdown rules, having picnics and barbecues.

The images showed one group being ordered to put out a barbecue by a park official.

The same official was also seen warning another group against having barbecues.

One eye-witness heard the official tell the group: "You are only allowed in the park for an hour. You can't have barbecues. You can't have a picnic.

"You cannot sunbathe. It's for exercise only."

People were told put out this barbecue (MEN)

The national lockdown, which was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 23, stipulates that people should only leave their homes to shop for basic necessities or medicine, for one form of exercise each day, for a medical need or to care for a vulnerable person or to go to work if that work cannot be done at home.

Public gatherings of more than two people are prohibited and, if people go out, they should try to remain two metres away from others.

Some were enjoying picnics (GMP)

Over the four days of the Easter bank holiday, police were called to 1,008 reports of house parties being held in apparent defiance of the lockdown.

Heaton Park was busy (MEN)

In Heaton Park today (Friday) one eye-witness said: "It wasn't hammered but it was busier than I expected.

"A lot of people were just walking through but quite a few were having a picnic which, obviously, you're not supposed to do."

Earlier today, police had to break up a group of "up to 100" people spraying and drinking champagne in Salford Quays.

The group were spotted near The Alchemist at around 1.30pm playing loud music and spraying champagne bottles. They were eventually dispersed when police arrived on the scene but witnesses said it was “upsetting” to see social distancing guidelines being ignored so blatantly.

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