OLICE dealt with hundreds of breaches of coronavirus restrictions at beauty spots in the first weekend after lockdown restrictions were relaxed but several tourism bosses have praised visitors for following guidelines.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said officers dealt with 360 incidents on one day with a group of eight fined for wild camping alongside problems with motorcyclists and people organising mass gatherings.

She added: "The government's advice is stay at home as much as you can, that's fine if you're sensible, but there were people who were not sensible, people who deliberately organised mass gatherings and that is not helpful at all."

The Yorkshire Dales National Park where car parks and some toilets were opened up said they had been busier but most people had shown respect for the area and the residents. Councillor Carl Lis said: "Of course, there have been one or two exceptions and I would like to thank the police for their support in dealing with these.

Cllr Neil Heseltine added: "Having taken the decision to open our car parks and toilets it was good to see the social distancing guidelines being followed and heartening to see a younger profile of visitor alongside first time visitors, and key workers coming out to get some well-earned exercise.