Cumbria Constabulary and local authorities will get an extra quarter of a million pounds to police the coronavirus regulations in the county.

The announcement was made by the Government yesterday.

The money is part of a countrywide £60m funding splurge to step-up the enforcement of rules in the hope of arresting the rise in infections.

In total Cumbria had been allocated £252,982 to the police and crime commissioner, PeterMcCall to allocate.

Neighbouring Northumbria has been allocated £924,096.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “But we’ve been clear that, with infections rising, we will not allow a small minority of people to reverse our hard-won progress.

“This extra funding will strengthen the police’s role in enforcing the law and make sure that those who jeopardise public health face the consequences.”

This week it was announced that two pubs in West Cumbria had been fined for flouting the coronavirus curfew.

The constabulary also said it had issued tickets to 13 members of a stag party who travelled to the area from outside the county to celebrate at the weekend.

On Friday punters were caught drinking at The Central, on Main Street, Egremont, and The Bush Inn, on Main Street, Cockermouth, after the 10pm deadline.

Assistant chief constable Andrew Slattery said: “It is clear that a small number of breaches have taken place, we urge everyone to do their bit to stop the spread of the virus.”