PECKISH residents fed-up with cooking at home are using their daily permitted exercise to pick up and eat takeaways.

Lockdown restrictions in place as a result of the coronavirus outbreak allow food businesses to continue trading as takeaway outlets.

Under the regulations, however, the owners have a responsibility to ensure their customers do not congregate outside before or after receiving their order.

Anyone who buys a takeaway is also expected to immediately return home afterwards to eat their food.

Essex Police say they are seeing an increase in people defying the rules and eating their food nearby, claiming it's part of the daily exercise allowance.

BJ Harrington, chief constable of Essex Police, said: “We understand just how tough it is on everybody, and I am so pleased that here in Essex everyone has, by and large, followed the rules.

“The longer the lockdown continues the harder it becomes, but it is so important that we continue to observe the rules and follow the guidance to ensure we don’t undo all of the good work done so far.

"With that in mind, while the lockdown continues, if you do get a takeaway and collect it yourself, please leave straight away, take it home, and eat it there.”