A bar that opened amidst the coronavirus pandemic has been slapped with a hefty fine for failing to comply with Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Tulketh Tap Room in Preston opened for the first time in July, after the first national lockdown was lifted.

But following a number of joint visits from the police and Preston City Council, owners of the ale house were handed a fixed penalty notice after 'mingling between different households' was discovered and 'warnings ignored'.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Throughout the local Covid 19 restrictions, through Tier 3 and into the national lockdown South Division licensing team and Preston City Council Envoronmental Health Team have been doing joint visits to clubs, bars and pubs in and around Preston checking that customers and staff were being kept safe.

"Mostly we found venues doing a great job in difficult circumstances.

"Where there were issues, we were usually able to engage, explain and encourage rather than enforce.

"Where this was not enough we have had to enforce and after a number of joint visits where mingling between different household groups was found and warnings ignored, Preston City Council have issued Tulketh Tap Room on Tulketh Brow with a hefty fixed penalty notice.

"Hopefully when our pubs, clubs and bars get to open again the message around taking Covid-19 safety seriously will have got through."