THIS shocking video shows people flocking to a North Yorkshire beauty spot to go walking or sledging in the snow - potentially breaching Covid lockdown rules and creating hazards on the road.

North Yorkshire Moors Moorland Organisation shared a video taken by one of its gameskeepers on Sunday along Blakey Ridge, near Kirkbymoorside, showing vehicles parked bumper to bumper.

The Northern Echo:

This was despite the third national lockdown and as calls were made by regional and national leaders for people to stay home amid rising coronavirus cases.

Ryedale Police said: "We are aware of a large gathering of people at Blakey Ridge yesterday and other beauty spots in the area for the purpose of sledging.

"This is not a necessary journey and is not for the purpose of exercise and people are reminded of the rules and advice given by the Government during this third lockdown.

"This is for your safety, and if people do not follow these rules, they will be fined."

There were reports of large crowds visiting other beauty spots to walk including Gribdale Gate, near Middlesbrough, where residents claimed motorists had ignored 'road closed' signs and blocked the road.

And Whitby Rural Police issued a plea at the weekend urging people not to travel outside their local area to go sledging.

The team said people on Facebook had been recommending Goathland and the surrounding area as a good place for sledging, which has encouraged visitors to travel "quite some distance" to visit the area.

The said: "The Government advice is to 'Stay at Home' - Exercise Locally.

"We are receiving reports that people are journeying to Goathland and the surrounding areas to sledge. "This is in contravention of the current lockdown and government guidelines around necessary travel and the public should not attend and risk a fine."