Furious Shotley residents have pleaded with outsiders not to day-trip to their village during the Covid-19 lockdown

A dog walker was enraged when she came across a group of people enjoying a picnic at the bottom of Bristol Hill and remonstrated with them for ignoring the Government enforced ruling.

The lady, who asked not to be identified, told Nub News: "I could not believe what I was seeing. I asked them what on earth they thought they were doing and they told me they had come from Ipswich to have a picnic.

"I told them where to go and told them we have a lot of elderly, or vulnerable people here and there could already be cases of the coronavirus.

"They should not be here, people like me, who live in this part of the village go out for a short time to walk our dog and get a little exercise, which we have been advised we can do, otherwise we are following the Stay At Home ruling. My husband takes our dog out in the morning, we are doing the right things and they should too."

Shortly after being told their actions were unacceptable the group left but residents do not want anyone else following in their footsteps.

Tony James, who also saw the picnickers, added: "What is the point of self-isolating if people who don't live here come out and mingle like they have done and completely flout the rules?

"I would like to go and have a pint when I finish work, I like to socialise and chat with people but I don't, then we get outsiders ignoring the rules.

"The police should get down here and fine the b*ggers."

A promotion push over the past few years has seen the peninsula, Shotley in particular becoming quite the destination for day trippers, especially with walkers, cyclists and sailors has become quite the destination.

Gary Richens, chairman of Shotley Open Spaces, who helped the village gain the nationally recognised Walkers Are Welcome accreditation, hopes the peninsula will remain a popular tourist spot, but has urged visitors to stay away for now.

"We should all be following the government guidelines," said Mr Richens. "Part of those guidelines is that we should not be making any non-essential journeys, and clearly traveling from outside of the peninsula to Shotley Gate for a picnic is not necessary.

"When people do go out then they should not be in groups of more than two, and staying safe distance apart.

"This is clearly not the right thing to do and I would urge people not to come out here, as lovely as it is, please don't come.

"We would love to see you when things are back to normal and you can enjoy all the walks, the lovely front we have, along with the excellent pubs.

"But please, for now, stay at home."

A young couple also chose not to abide by the guidelines as they enjoyed the afternoon sun, as our pictures above show.

Public gatherings of more than two people who do not live together are prohibited, and shops selling non-essential items have been ordered to close.

New legislation has been introduced giving police powers to disperse public gatherings and fine those who do not follow the rules, anything from £30 to £1,000.

Suffolk chief constable Stephen Jupp said: "It is imperative people comply with these new measures to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed and to ensure lives are saved.

"The moves so far to limit social distancing have not had the necessary effect, with some people still going about their business as if the threat from coronavirus didn't exist.

"It has to stop. We all need to work together to protect our NHS and other public services so that we can ensure we can help you.

"I appreciate the crisis we are facing is having a massive impact on people's lives and the vast majority of people in Suffolk are making a real effort to do all they can to help themselves and others by heeding what has been said. I would now urge the small minority who have not done so to adhere to these new instructions from the Prime Minister.

"Our officers will be out in our communities as we are normally. We will use the opportunity to explain the new rules and discuss with people what they are doing, and why they are out. 

"We will continue to work within our traditional policing model, with the consent of the public. The vast majority of the public understand why we may need to use the new powers. We will, of course, negotiate and convince before resorting to the law.

"We must not be complacent. I urge people in Suffolk to follow the advice which is being given, stay at home and help us help the national effort to protect you and our NHS."

Click here for latest Covid-19 guidelines