NINE people taking part in a close-contact martial arts session have been fined £200 each in Ellesmere Port.

Police in the town were alerted to the coronavirus lockdown breach at an Ellesmere Port gym at 8pm on Wednesday, November 18.

Officers attended and some tried to leave the facility upon realising police were there.

Nine £200 fixed penalty notices were issued.

The owner of the gym was not fined as, police say, they did not know the martial arts practice had been arranged.

Writing on the Ellesmere Port Police Facebook page, the force said: "Whenever there is a breach we will always attempt to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules.

"However, there are times when there is no other option but to enforce.

"At around 8pm on Wednesday, November 18 we attended a gym in the Ellesmere Port area and found several people taking part in close contact martial arts.

"Some attempted to leave once seeing us inside the facility.

"As a result of this blatant breach, nine £200 fixed penalty notices were issued to those in attendance.

"The gym owner was not issued with a fixed penalty notice as they did not know that the practice had been arranged.

"We don't want to stop you from enjoying yourselves but we must stick to the rules to help reduce the spread of the virus."