A barber shop in Cornwall has been fined £1,000 after staff were caught cutting hair during lockdown.

All close contact services, which includes barbers, hairdressers and beauticians, have been ordered to close under the current national restrictions.

Responding to information from the public, council staff and officers from Devon and Cornwall Police attended the premises and found a customer was having their hair cut in a screened area of the shop.

Officers from Cornwall Council subsequently issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice to the business.

Cllr Rob Nolan, portfolio holder for environment and public protection, said: “This business clearly knew that it should not be operating during lockdown.

“We know it is incredibly difficult for businesses at the moment but we must all do our bit to stop the spread of the virus.

“We will not hesitate to take action against those who ignore the rules and put communities at risk.”

Since the start of the pandemic, Cornwall Council has taken enforcement action against seven businesses for Covid breaches.

The barber shop has 14 days to appeal the notice.

Throughout the pandemic Cornwall Council has been working closely with businesses to explain the restrictions in place.

Businesses can find support and guidance regarding the latest restrictions on the Business Regulatory Support website.

If you are concerned that a business is operating illegally during lockdown, you can report it via the Cornwall Council website.