POLICE in Crewe have slapped fines on two men who told officers they didn't know the country was in lockdown.

The men were spotted leaving a taxi in town today (Thursday) without face coverings and were then pulled over after they came out of an off licence laden with a case of beer.

Officers took them to one side to explain the current regulations and the importance of wearing face coverings in shops, on public transport and enclosed areas.

A police spokesperson said: "The men said they were not aware that a lockdown was in place and were also unaware of how their actions could transmit coronavirus to others."

Both men were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus rules.

The police added: "It's a shame that we have had to do this as the majority of the Cheshire public have made heart-breaking sacrifices to help reduce the spread of the virus. There was no other option but to issue the notices to protect the NHS and save lives."

Fixed Penalty Notices start at £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.

Here are the detailed coronavirus rules