CROWDS of people flocked to Troon beach over the weekend as some of the lockdown restrictions were finally lifted.

As Ayrshire basked in a heat wave, restrictions in place for 10 weeks were gradually eased to phase one – allowing sunbathing and social gatherings with one other household.

But scenes at Troon beach showed a huge surge of people, with large swathes of the beach covered as people enjoyed the sun.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “A reminder that you should not be flocking to beauty/tourist spots – or travelling more than around five miles from your home for leisure/recreation.

“Doing so puts yourself and others at risk and increases chance of restrictions having to be reapplied.”

Police patrolled the beach and the main street and shops, hotels and toilet facilities were closed.

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