Former England midfielder Paul Scholes has been accused of holding a party at his Oldham home to celebrate his son's 21st on the same day lockdown measures were reimposed across parts of England's north-west.

The Sun cited phone footage as showing revellers ignoring social distancing "as they drank and danced" at the seven-hour party, with the paper citing Tory MP Andrew Bridgen criticising Mr Scholes for "reckless behaviour". 

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "On Sunday August 2 2020, we were made aware of allegations of an earlier breach of Covid-19 restrictions at a residential property in the Oldham area.

"In line with normal procedure and policing by consent, officers attended and engaged with an individual, explaining the restrictions and encouraging them to be compliant."

It comes as Boris Johnson has ordered officials to work-up a plan for avoiding a second national lockdown, according to reports.

The Prime Minister is considering asking the elderly to shield once again and is mulling lockdown-like conditions for London should there be a second wave of coronavirus infections, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times said.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said people in his area "on the whole" had been brilliant "and I reject efforts to blame some for breaking lockdown rules".

Writing in the Sunday Mirror, Mr Burnham called on the Government to ensure people in low-paid, insecure jobs are financially supported if they have to self-isolate due to coronavirus.

He wrote: "We shouldn't spend taxpayers' money on subsidising meals out but not support the low-paid to take time off work to protect their health."