"Hardly anyone was wearing masks or social distancing – it was shocking"
Sunseekers have ignored pleas to stay away from Blackpool, as the surrounding areas prepare for tough new coronavirus restrictions.
Visitors flocked to the popular seaside town over the weekend, even as the rest of Lancashire prepares for new localised measures to come into force.
Social media users reported queues for attractions and gridlocked traffic, with crowds of people pictured filling the resort’s promenade.
Gem Concannon, 36, from Northwich, Cheshire, said she had visited the resort on Saturday with her family.
“It was heaving, hardly anyone was wearing masks or social distancing. It was shocking,” she said.
“I’ve never seen it that busy before.”
Extra measures, preventing households from mixing in private homes and meaning pubs and restaurants must shut by 10pm, are due to come into force to tackle rising coronavirus rates in Lancashire on Tuesday.
However Blackpool, which is run by a separate unitary authority, will not be subject to the restrictions.
The town’s famous Illuminations are on display until January, with the normal run extended for two months to boost tourism.
Police had been expecting large crowds over the weekend thanks to the sunny September weather.
