A COUPLE drove 265 miles from Surrey to St Ives for a day trip, police who caught them earlier today said.

Penzance Police said that officers were called to the pier in the usually bustling Cornish resort after the couple had been spotted by "concerned residents".

A police spokesperson said: "It transpired that the couple had driven 265 miles from Surrey for a day trip due to forthcoming exam pressure and thought their trip essential.

"Both were issued with covid-19 penalty notices and immediately decided to cut their outing short and return home.

"All in all a very long 530-mile round trip for an hour by the sea."

Government advice remains that people should stay home aside from essential journeys.