POLICE have fired a warning to residents after receiving reports of groups of people meeting up in back gardens despite advice to avoid social gatherings.

The Government has said people should not organise gatherings to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say they have had reports of people from different homes congregating in back gardens.

A GMP spokesman said: "We have had an increase in reports of groups of people gathering in back gardens to socialise.

"Many of these gatherings involve people from different households and are not following the Government guidelines so shouldn’t be happening.

"You can spend time in your own garden along with members of your own household but you should not be inviting other people. #StayHomeSaveLives"