Surfers were flouting the coronavirus lockdown and risking their lives by taking to the waves in Tyneside.
While daily exercise is allowed in the UK surfing has been banned in Portugal, Spain and Italy and surfers have been advised not to head down to the beach.
Today Brits were spotted queuing for ice creams at some sunny tourist traps despite repeated warnings by the Govnerment to stay at home until the pandemic is over.
These pictures show surfers enjoying the hot weather on Tynemouth beach in Tyneside today.
Concerns have been raised that they could still contract coronavirus even if they stick to the social distancing rules.
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Kim Prather, a scientist at the University of California San Diego, said droplets of the killer virus can be transmitted further because of the windy sea.
She told the San Diego Union-Tribune: "Surfers are saying that they're safe if they stay six feet away from other people, but that's only true if the air isn't moving...
"Most of the time, there's wind or a breeze at the coast.
"Tiny drops of virus can float in the air and get blown around."
The national governing body for surfing in England has advised people not to take to the waves until the lockdown is over.
A statement by Surfing England published on Friday on their website says: "With the bank holiday upon us, sunshine and some clean swell, the temptation to slip into your wetsuit and walk in for a few waves will be at its max.
"We all have tough personal choices to make. Our preference is to stay out the water.
"We hope you will join us, and the thousands of surfers who are standing in solidarity with the NHS, doing every little we can to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and reducing the pressure on all our frontline services.
"The current state is temporary, it will end, and the waves will still be there for us when it does."
Surfers who ignored the advice could also face further danger as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has suspended beach lifeguard patrols 'until further notice'.
It said seeing lifeguards would 'encourage people to visit beaches' which goes against the government's advice on essential travel.
Northumbria Police, who covers Tynemouth beach, have warned they will issue fines to anyone breaking the lockdown rules.
As of Friday afternoon, 9,016 people have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus - 8,114 in England, 495 in Scotland, 315 in Wales and 92 in Northern Ireland.
But the true toll is likely much higher as hundreds are thought to have died in private homes, care homes and hospices.
