Nearly 220 fines for coronavirus lockdown breaches were dished out by Dyfed-Powys Police over the bank holiday weekend.

And 80 per cent of the 219 fixed penalty notices issued between Friday and Sunday were to visitors travelling into the area from elsewhere, raising concerns over the lockdown becoming stretched.

Among them were 19 men from Merseyside who had travelled into Newtown to go off-roading – for the second weekend running.

Inspector Andy Williams said: “Once again we have had a busy bank holiday weekend ensuring people are adhering to legislation and staying safe.

“Roads policing officers set up checkpoints across the force, and have been supported by colleagues from various teams to deal with the minority of people who have chosen to disregard the restrictions. It has been a collective team effort from all departments.

“Unfortunately, we have come across people who have travelled hundreds of miles into the force area for non-essential reasons. We would like to remind people that travel in Wales is still only for essential purposes.”

Newtown Police reported a number of breaches of the restrictions, including bikers out on rides, one of whom was going to "collect branches".

The town's roads policing unit said on Friday that 34 fixed penalties had been dished out.

Stop-checks carried out by Carmarthenshire Roads Policing Unit resulted in two families being turned around after driving around 200 miles for a day out.

The first – a family of five, and a dog – had travelled from Warwickshire with the intention of having “a stroll on the beach” in Saundersfoot. The driver was a key worker for the NHS.

The second – a family of four from Northampton – “fancied a spin” and were stopped in Carmarthen.

The incidents have prompted the force to remind people that legislation has not changed in Wales, despite an announcement by the UK government on Sunday evening.

Insp Williams added: “With the change in guidelines announced by the UK Government on Sunday night, there might be some confusion among people about the situation in Wales.

“We would like to emphasise the Welsh Government’s message, which is Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives.”