POLICE found guests staying at a luxury hotel site in County Durham recently despite the enforced lockdown restrictions.

Officers responded to reports of a domestic incident taking place in one of the relatively new treehouse lodges at the five-star Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham, in the early hours of Tuesday April 7.

On arrival police spoke to a couple and it was believed a clear number of guests were staying at the hotel, despite the lockdown rules.

It is reported that a man booked the night at the hotel following a scratch card win and travelled with a woman by taxi to the Carrville hotel for the overnight stay.

The incident was subsequently said to have been reported to Durham County Council which, in turn, reminded the hotel management of Government regulations relating to the hotel industry during the coronavirus crisis.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: “We were called at 12.20am on April 7 to reports of a domestic incident at one of the Treehouse lodges at Ramside Hall, near Durham.

“Officers attended and spoke to the couple involved, neither of whom wished to make a formal complaint.

“On arrival at the premises, it was clear to the officers that a number of guests were staying at the hotel, despite the Covid-19 lockdown.

“This information was shared with Durham County Council.”

Michael Yeadon, Durham County Council’s environment and health protection manager, said: “We were contacted by Durham Constabulary last month regarding an incident at Ramside Hall and informed people were staying at the site.

“We have provided information to the hotel’s management on the Government regulations which are in place for businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.”

The hotel has declined to comment.