A driver has been rapped by police after travelling 139 miles on a "ride out".

The motorist was stopped by officers in Rutland - a county in the East Midlands, after driving from Maidstone.

Oakham Police tweeted saying: "Can we politely remind people that coming to Rutland for a #RideOut or just a drive doesn’t fit the criteria under government guidance.

"If you want to exercise that’s understandable and if you want to have a picnic with your family in a park or open area we understand that."

This comes after the Prime Minster announced lockdown measures would be slightly eased from Sunday, May 10.

According to government advice, the public are still required "to stay home except for a limited set of reasons but - in line with scientific advice - can take part in more outdoor activities."

People are no longer confined to the area which they live, and can drive further afield, but Oakham Police highlights this is only to exercise or spend time outdoors - not to go for a drive.

When a Twitter user questioned the officers' stance, saying: "I thought updated advice was you could travel any distance for exercise? There wasn’t a cap on where you could go? Although I agree it’s not using common sense travelling three hours for a bike ride...", the police replied: "Yes that’s right.. you need to actually do one of the stated exemptions not just have a drive."

The forced added: "At the end of the day we want to be civil with people and highlight where we think they might not be abiding with the government advice."

Oakham Police has been contacted for a further comment.

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