Police in the UK have poured black dye into a picturesque lagoon to put people off visiting it during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Derbyshire police said they took the action after getting reports people were gathering at the spot, known locally as the ‘Blue Lagoon.’

It is not the first time police have used the tactic to deter swimmers – as the water contains ‘rub-off’ from an old quarry nearby and can irritate the skin.

In a Facebook post however, they confirmed that they were targeting people who were flouting UK guidelines aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.

They said it has “never been so important to discourage these types of gatherings.”

“Yesterday we received reports that people were congregating at the ‘Blue Lagoon’ in Harpur Hill, Buxton,” they wrote.

“No doubt this is due to the picturesque location and the lovely weather (for once!) in Buxton.

“However, the location is dangerous and this type of gathering is in contravention of the current instruction of the UK Government.

“With this in mind, we have attended the location this morning and used water dye to make the water look less appealing.”

More than 1,000 COVID-19 patients have now died in the UK, according to the latest figures.

A further 260 people have tested positive, taking the total to 1,019.