What a difference a year makes.

The packed beaches of Bournemouth on Good Friday 2019 were a world away from yesterday's empty seafront.

Last year tourism chiefs in the seaside town rubbed their hands with glee as the sunny Easter Bank Holiday attracted a record 680,000 tourists.

Bournemouth Echo:

Although the weather is just as fine 12 months on, the resort is devoid of visitors who have been told in no uncertain terms to stay away to avoid spreading coronavirus.

The seven-mile stretch of sand looks more like a barren desert with just the odd walker taking their permitted daily exercise.

 

And where thousands of sunseekers happily lay undisturbed last Easter, those who attempt to take in the rays for a while are swiftly moved on by police.

Council officials have even taped off seafront benches to stop people sitting on them while the 2,000 beach huts along the prom remain padlocked.

Not everyone has said away as four 'covidiots' were pictured breaching lockdown rules by having a barbecue on the cliff top.

Peter Collett, the manager of Bournemouth Pier, said the Victorian attraction would be rammed on a Bank Holiday Easter weekend.

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth beach over Easter weekend 2020. Pictures from BNPS

He said: "It is good to see the beaches empty because that means people are staying at home and the more people who do that then the sooner we can get back to normality.

"But this has been devastating for us. We had an awful start to the year when most weekends in January and February were wet and windy and as soon as the sun comes out everyone has to stay away.

 

 

"We lose money in the winter months and make that up in the spring and summer so it is really worrying.

"On an Easter weekend when the weather is like this, the pier would be heaving and our staff would be firing on all cylinders.

"The beach shop would be selling out of buckets and spades and sun cream, there would be queues for ice creams, the gift shop would be doing a roaring trade and the restaurant on the end of the pier would be rammed for breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth beach over Easter weekend 2020. Pictures from BNPS

Meanwhile at the Dorset beauty spot of Lulworth Cove wardens are still having to turn away scores of visitors from the car parks.

Two women and their three children from two different households had driven two hours from Bath for a day out.

Dean Eddy, ranger for the Lulworth Estate, said: "The women were aware what they were doing was wrong but they said the needed a day out at the seaside.

"They pleaded with me to let them park as they had been in the car for two hours. As they left they said they would try Weymouth but I told them they needed to go home.

"Then four lads in a black Audi turned up. They didn't say where they were from but they had London accents.

"They knew exactly what they were doing and thought that it would be OK because there wouldn't be many people about."

Other visitors who were shamed into doing U-turns had travelled from as far as Oxford, Brighton, Taunton and Portsmouth.