A COUPLE alleged to have breached lockdown rules by having a barbecue on the beach have been fined.

Community support officers (PCSOs) approached the pair on Hove beach on April 4, and video footage showed a row between them.

It ended with the PCSOs dousing the flames of the barbecue with sea water after they allegedly refused to leave the area when asked.

The new rules were introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 23, and emergency powers were given to the police to disperse any gatherings of more than two people.

Under the Coronavirus Act legislation police have the authority to ask people about their journeys and activities, and to issue fines or make arrests if public health is being put at risk.

The powers came into effect on March 26.

Police said a 31-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman, both from Hove, allegedly refused to leave the beach.

They were set to be summonsed to court, but the force has instead issued fixed penalty notices to them to pay a £60 fine.