A Shotley woman more used to promoting the peninsula has helped share a novel way of keeping visitors at bay during the Covid-19 crisis.

Annette Ellis posted pictures of Shotley under snow in a cheeky bid to thwart anyone tempted to make a non-essential trip to the usually beautiful area.

Miss Ellis had shared a similar Tweet by BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy, who was doing the same thing to halt the flow of traffic to the seaside town.

'It's a first - after nearly 20 years previously working in tourist information, promoting and welcoming visitors to Suffolk, including the beautiful Shotley Peninsula where I live, it feels quite strange to be reinforcing the message that no-one should be visiting at the moment, however beautiful the weather," said Miss Ellis. "However, it will be absolutely wonderful to see both local residents and visitors out and about again later on when it's safe to do so again."

Although the number of people travelling to the peninsula was down, there were still some people, labelled locally as Covidiots, making the journey to the waterfront beauty spots.

Suffolk police visited the area to educate those breaking the rules, and warning fines of £60 could be issued.

Health minister Matt Hancock has also warned the government could introduce even stricter controls if people do not follow the non-essential guidelines.