A COUNCIL has questioned claims that Christmas shoppers in Tier 4 Surrey made a beeline for Tier 2 Sussex on Sunday to buy their final festive gifts.

Horsham District Council says it "does not have evidence to suggest that the shoppers in the town centre yesterday were residents of Tier 4 restriction areas".

Surrey was one of several areas in the South East to be plunged into the newly formed Tier 4 at midnight on Saturday following an emergency announcement from Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

The Argus: Shoppers in Horsham today Credit: Eddie MitchellShoppers in Horsham today Credit: Eddie Mitchell

In these areas all non-essential retailers must shut, among other heightened restrictions introduced to contain a new strain of coronavirus identified in the region.

However all of Sussex, aside from Hastings and Rother, remains in Tier 2 with stores allowed to stay open.

On Sunday, the Daily Mail reported that shoppers from Surrey had flocked to nearby Horsham to buy last minute presents.

And pictures taken in the town appeared to show that its shopping streets remained busy today.

But Horsham District Council has questioned the claims made by the national newspaper.

A spokeswoman said: "The council does not have evidence to suggest that the shoppers in Horsham town centre yesterday were residents of Tier 4 restriction areas, nor that Sunday was any busier than any other pre- Christmas weekend trading day.

The Argus: Shoppers in Horsham today Credit: Eddie MitchellShoppers in Horsham today Credit: Eddie Mitchell

"We are pleased that trading has remained strong in Horsham over the busy pre-Christmas shopping period.

"We have worked hard with local retailers throughout the coronavirus pandemic to ensure they have the correct safety measures in place to enable shoppers to shop safely, and are extremely grateful to local businesses who have worked tirelessly in collaboration with us to ensure the safety of their customers and staff during these unprecedented times."