VISITORS continued to travel to Dorset despite a warning to stay away.

Police turned away cars at the county borders if they were found to be making non-essential journeys.

Although fewer cars were stopped on Easter Sunday there have been reports of caravans and camper vans parked up across the county.

There were two camper vans parked near Weymouth Pavilion on Sunday but later moved on.

John Mooney, from Littlemoor, said: “I was going for my daily walk on the footpath along the side of the Relief Road and I saw three camper vans in quick succession on Saturday. On Sunday I saw one more but the roads were noticeably quieter yesterday.

Another resident said: "I walked to the end of Camp Road neat the Fleet and there was a camper van parked up. As soon as they saw me the turned around and drove off. I presume they must have been looking for somewhere remote to park up."

On the A35 at Raymond's Hill in the west of the county - 65 vehicles were stopped, one turned around and two people reported for a breach.

Traffic police were called to help officers who were dealing with people demanding entry to their holiday caravan. They were sent home.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, motorists who attempted to drive to Purbeck beauty spots found the police waiting for them and were handed fines.

A spokesman for Dorset Traffic Cops said: “We have had officers at various strategic routes into the county. On the border with Devon and on our northern border with Somerset and Wiltshire the majority of vehicles stopped were for essential journeys. Thank you. However, on the A31 on the border with Hampshire a number of vehicles were stopped where the travel was not essential.”

Some of the reasons given were:

* Two families from London wanting to visit the beach as it was a nice day

* A family from London, who had hired a campervan with the intention to come to Dorset to self isolate

* A couple from London wanting to go spear fishing

* A man from Aylesbury who was visiting a friend to brush up on his CV

* A few couples from Southampton who had come to walk their dog Police said a number of vehicles were escorted from the county. Meanwhile, one car was seized for no insurance and two other tickets were issued for ‘identified offences’.

Purbeck Police were on patrol in Lulworth on Saturday and officers were on shift for less than a hour and had already stopped numerous vehicles trying to enter the area.

A spokesman said: “Their excuses for travelling did not fit into the government guidelines and they have therefore been issued fines and sent back home.”

Later, officers went to Ferry Road, Studland and found cars parked along the road.

The spokesman added: “This is not being responsible and keeping to the spirit of the government’s instructions. Driving to beauty spots for exercise is not essential travel. Some members of the public have been given words of advice and sent on their way. If you were parked anywhere along Ferry Road (on Saturday) your registration has been noted.

In the east of the county residents have reacted angrily after a large number of people were travelling by car to Throop Mill to walk or cycle down the pathway.

Throop Village Conservation group closed the Throop Mill car park which prompted visitors to use the adjacent roads to park and get their daily exercise.

However, the government guidelines state people should not drive to get their exercise.

A spokesperson for the conservation group said: “The car park was closed on Sunday and since then people have been parking on the roads.

“The afternoons are very busy in terms of walking and cycling."