A wedding venue and the organiser of a music event have been fined £1,000 each for breaching coronavirus restrictions.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says fixed penalty notices were issued after illegal gatherings in Hemel Hempstead and near Potters Bar.

Chief Superintendent Matt Nicholls says his officers "will not tolerate serious cases of disregard to law" and warned Covid patrols will continue across the county.

The latest incidents reported by police were for two events that happened over the weekend of Halloween.

On October 31, police were called to a wedding reception in Northaw, with an estimated 100 people in attendance.

At the time, the law stated wedding ceremonies and receptions could have no more than 15 guests.

In the early hours of November 1, police were called to a music event involving around 50 people off London Road in Hemel Hempstead. Police broke up the event and seized equipment.

On November 17, both the unnamed Northaw venue and the organiser of the music event were issued with £1,000 fines, in relation to the breaches which contravened the business restrictions.

Those in attendance at both events were dispersed with individual warnings handed out.

Hertfordshire Constabulary Chief Superintendent Matt Nicholls, who is leading the police’s response to the virus, said: "Since these events took place, we have entered a second lockdown which is clear evidence that we need to continue to do all we can to prevent further spread of this deadly virus. The grave truth is, these restrictions are in place to save lives.

“There will be a time in the future when we can enjoy weddings, parties, concerts and gatherings unfettered by social distancing and a pandemic which I know has curtailed our way of life for many months now. But please, I urge you to play your part and respect the lockdown measures."

Previously, police have fined seven people who met up in a park in Bushey in the early hours of the second lockdown £200 each, while eight people found in a property in Borehamwood on November 11 were also all fined £200.

And a woman from North Watford was fined £200 in court this month, after she was caught at a house gathering in Watford in April - police said she did not live at the house she was seen at.

Chief Supt Nicholls added: "We have been, and will continue to, conduct regular patrols to ensure that the Government regulations are being adhered to. Officers are visiting businesses, transport hubs, parks, schools and responding to COVID-related calls to addresses in the area.

"I want to make it crystal clear that Hertfordshire Constabulary will not tolerate serious cases of disregard to law and as both these examples clearly show, those intent on ignoring it will be dealt with and educated without hesitation."