Locals in South Derbyshire have expressed their anger online after confusing COVID-19 regulations have prompted a wave of police fines for people attending local National Trust site Calke Abbey in Ticknall.

Footage from January 7 shows the police preventing vehicles from entering the tourist spot.

Rage mounted online due to the rules claiming that people were allowed to enter the site to "access fresh air and open space for exercise."

Some residents were confused as to what counted as local and what didn't.

One person commented online: "We need to know what their threshold is. I live on the edge of Derby, just under six miles away.

"It doesn't seem unreasonable to travel 10 minutes to access a wide open space that limits visitor numbers.

"It is safer than using busy urban paths.”

While another said: “They won't get you a definite answer but just direct you to the government website, as they don't really know themselves.”

The National Trust said online: "The parkland at Calke Abbey remains open for local visitors to access fresh air and open space for exercise in line with government guidance.”

While Derbyshire Police said: “If you have to travel for exercise then keep it local, ie your nearest place.”

Derbyshire residence have voiced their anger after Derbyshire police issued a number of fines at a Derbyshire tourist spot. The force took to Facebook to announce that they had been at Calke Abbey in Ticknall saying “Officers from across South Derbyshire safer neighbourhood team have been conducting proactive patrols at tourist attractions today. Strong, effective engagement with visitors to these places has resulted in a number of fines being issued.Everyone is reminded to STAY HOME and follow current guidance.”

Comments on the post described people's frustration with one person saying “Is living in South Derbyshire classed as local or is it only if it doesn't involve driving? We have tickets for Saturday which were booked before the latest announcement. Confused!!”

Another commenter said “They won't get you a definite answer but just direct you to the government website, as they don't really know themselves.”

Police officers were witnessed speaking to drivers as they arrived at the National Trust property on Thursday 7th January asking where they had come from, Police were then heard saying its "too far" referring to the distance the visitor had travelled. 1 car then reversed and left with officers making note of the vehicle registration number and confirming that a fine would be issued.

Confusion surround the area in which Calke Abbey is located with residence saying “We need to know what their threshold is. I live on the edge of Derby, just under six miles away. It doesn't seem unreasonable to travel 10 minutes to access a wide open space that limits visitor numbers. It is safer than using busy urban paths.”