A POLICE chief has explained how far Brits can travel across England following the introduction of "Stay Local" rules today.

The national chairman of the Police Federation, John Apter, made the comments as a raft of lockdown measures on travel and social contact were eased today.

SEE MORE: What you CAN and CANNOT do from March 29 in the North-East

As new rules came in, he said that the change in the Government's message from "Stay Home" to "Stay Local" is now guidance and "not a rule."

Speaking on ITVs Good Morning Britain, he said: "It's not a rule, it's guidance, and as I said, guidance is not legally enforceable.

"As a member of the public we've got a moral duty to our fellow citizens but its not legally enforceable."

In response, Susanna Reid, host of Good Morning Britain, said: "Legally there is no restriction on the distance you can travel or the number of journeys you can make."

The Northern Echo: Picture: UK GOVERNMENTPicture: UK GOVERNMENT

The comments came as Nigel Huddleston, minister for sport and tourism, said today marked a "really big day" for millions across the UK who are "dying to get back to the things that they love”.

'Be sensible'

Speaking about travel in England, he urged Brits to "be sensible" as restrictions now mean you no longer need a reason to leave your home.

He said: “I think if people are travelling they need to think very carefully about how they travel, where they fill up for petrol, if they need food and so on.

"Probably get that locally before you go on the journey because what we don’t want is people intermixing in different parts of the country to any greater degree than necessary and then when you do go and visit a friend or a relative make sure you stay in those gardens or stay outdoors and obey those rules, so please just again be sensible.”

On policing, he added: “The police are there to implement the law and there are still laws here and they will implement fines, so if there’s large gatherings, again remember it’s a rule of six and up to six, but only six or two households, so if the police see people breaking those rules they can intervene, they can break up and as I say if necessary fine.

“I recognise it’s more difficult in people’s private gardens and that’s why we’re appealing to people to be sensible for the sake of their health and others, please don’t break the rules.”