AUTHORITIES have released repeated warnings and new measures have been put in place to enforce social distancing.

But Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council have faced a battle to keep the city's seafront clear.

Yesterday, officers posted a warning after noticing that "the number of people along Brighton beach exercising is increasing".

Meanwhile, the council released a cautionary message last weekend after seeing "too many people are on the seafront, making social distancing impossible".

On both occasions, the beach was markedly emptier in the hours or day after the warnings were issued.

Brighton and Hove Police shared the below image yesterday afternoon, saying it was "great to see" the seafront had emptied after it urged people to stay at home when possible.

But Brighton and Hove City Council released another message ahead of this bank holiday weekend amid concerns that warm weather and blue skies could draw people out of their homes and to the beach.

In other coastal areas of Sussex, police have praised residents for sticking to the stringent lockdown guidelines.

These ask Britons to only leave the house for essential trips such as food shopping and picking up medication.

People are also allowed to take one bout of daily exercise - in the form of a walk, run or cycle.

Arun Police expressed their gratitude to people in Bognor for keeping the town's seafront clear.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, a spokesman for the force said: "Thank you. The beach around Bognor esplanade is currently quiet.

"Please keep it that way to protect the NHS and save lives. We will be patrolling all weekend and are here to help.

"Exercise close to home for a short time, otherwise stay home and save lives."

Chichester Police were also delighted to see social distancing guidelines being adhered to yesterday.

One officer said: "It's so good to see so many people sticking to the covid-19 guidelines. I've never seen the Wittering beaches and Bracklesham so quiet.

"We will continue to be around all Easter to offer reassurances and a presence to the community."

It was a similar scene in Hastings, with officers in the area sharing a snap of an almost deserted beach and seafront.

Members of the team at Adur and Worthing Gap sent patrols to Goring Gap and the surrounding area on Thursday.

Though they encountered some groups, officers noted that most people were sticking to the social distancing guidelines.

It heralded those sticking to the advice as "heroes".

A spokesman for the force said: "Our police community support officers were out and about yesterday in the Goring Gap area, surrounding areas and on beach patrol on Thursday.

"Thank you to all who are adhering to the government guidelines. Not all heroes wear capes."

Rother Police was another force to have congratulated residents for following the Government advice.

The above picture of Bexhill beach shows people in the area have been quick to take the lockdown seriously.

Officers noted that Egerton Park in Bexhill was barren yesterday and Camber beach was only occupied by a small number of people out for a stroll.

Meanwhile the below picture was taken this morning on Brighton beach.

A passerby said that larger numbers of people had started to gather, but all appeared to be sticking to the social distancing guidelines and staying two metres apart from one another.