Fresh calls have been made for tourists to stay away from Cumbria ahead of what promises to be another sunny weekend.

Cumbria Tourism managing director Gill Haigh reinforced the call for visitors to follow Government guidelines and stay at home after thousands flocked to tourist hotspots including Keswick, Bowness and Ambleside last weekend to enjoy the spring weather.

Cumbria Police has also issued a strong warning to visitors, saying a time of national crisis is “no excuse for a holiday”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tough new measures in a desperate bid to curb the spread of coronavirus earlier this week – including a ban on all non-essential travel.

The measures came into force a day after communities in Cumbria – along with other tourist hotspots across the UK – watched in horror as thousands of visitors descended despite repeated warnings over the need for social distancing.

Ahead of the weekend, Mrs Haigh said: “We know it could be very tempting to head to the fells, lakes and other outdoor spaces across Cumbria and the Lake District, but please don’t. 

“We ask you to think about the community, your own health and that of household members, be responsible, stay at home and together we can stop the spread of this disease and help save lives.”

This week assistant chief constable Andy Slattery said officers would now be stopping people in caravans, camper vans and other vehicles thought to contain visitors.

“We will be stopping anybody coming into the Lake District who we think is coming in on holiday with caravans, camper vans, or whatever, and advising them to go back to their home address,” he added.

Lake District National Park Authority boss Richard Leafe and the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association have also made their own pleas for visitors to stay away.