PEOPLE who travel to Cumbria illegally during lockdown are 'selfish, Mail readers have said.

Readers reacted on social media after it was revealed that more than 550 people had been spoken to by police in Cumbria in apparent breaches of the national lockdown.

Police have urged people to 'stay local' in carrying out their daily exercise after officers said travelling in a car to the Lakes to go walking with a friend from another household was against the rules.

Some 68 fines for breaches were issued over the weekend, police in Cumbria.

Nearly 1,000 people have now been fined by officers in the county for breaching restrictions designed to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Jan Barker said: "As I live in the south, I’ve not been able to visit my family for over a year.

"Do NOT tar us all with the same brush. I do not wish to pass on my germs (if any) on my travels and to my family and friends.

"There’ll come a time when we’ll be able to travel again and until that time arises, I’m staying home to save lives."

Annette Batchelor said: "Tell me about it they are still coming to Haverigg."

Nige Cooper said: "Just fine them - it will soon stop them."

"They don’t care," said Syliva Stoker. "Selfishness."

Shirley Toomey said: "Selfish."

Health bosses in the county have warned people to be extra vigilant in the face of a new variant of the virus, thought to be behind a rapid rise in case in Cumbria.

Travelling out of your local area for exercise is currently illegal.