French police have fined and sent packing a group of rich Britons [STOCK PHOTO]

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The group of seven men and three women landed at Marseille Provence Airport, near Marignane airport, about 17miles outside Marseille. Incredibly they had helicopters on stand-by for the onward journey. Authorities were alerted to the inbound flight from coronavirus-struck Britain and officers intercepted the group on landing.

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Reporter Jérémie Pham-Lê, with Le Parisien, said: “This crew had obviously organized their stay very well since helicopters were waiting for these 'vacationers' in Marseille.

“They had planned to go to a villa in Cannes by helicopter.

“In the midst of an epidemic, and while the government keeps repeating to the French the urgent need to stay at home, these trips are obviously not tolerated.”

He added that the group were accused of illegal movement and fined by the gendarmerie.

The private jet passengers have not been named but they flew back from Marseille airport at around 7pm last Saturday.