THE beach car park at a popular beauty spot has been sealed off to help enforce social distancing during the coronavirus lockdown.

Huge hay bales in black plastic wrappings have been placed across the only vehicle access to the parking area at Silecroft beach, near Millom.

The beach cafe at the the far end of the car park has now closed.

The barricade and empty car park contrasts starkly with last weekend.

Despite pleas by Prime Minister Boris Johnstone for people to stay at home where possible, there were more than 30 vehicles parked on the foreshore car park at Silecroft beach, near Millom, on Sunday afternoon.

Two groups of horse riders headed down on to the sands as the tide fell back around 1pm and there was even a dune buggy heading at speed across the shingle.

Two women in swimsuits braved the cold water and plenty of others walked dogs and let youngsters run around on the sand.

Despite the numbers, everyone appeared to be keeping a safe distance to prevent the spread of infection on a Mother's Day which offered no pubs, restaurants or cafes to visit for a traditional lunch.

There was even a gathering of kite-flying enthusiasts at Silecroft beach - more than a dozen in total - all with specialist equipment.