Waheed’s Buffet and Banqueting Hall, in Blackburn, Lancashire, was hosting a reception for 100 people on Sunday evening when police arrived to break it up. Police posted on Facebook saying the incident was ‘disappointing’ and that the event put ‘everyone attending at risk’, as it urged the public to stick to guidelines.

Blackburn with Darwen is one of several areas in the north west that is still under some of the strictest lockdown rules in the country, with restrictions imposed on social visits. The council said that as a ‘last resort’ the restaurant was closed on Monday by using new powers to tackle premises that are breaching restrictions.

The closure is in place for a month but will be reviewed weekly and premises will be able to reopen if they can show they are Covid-safe, the authority said.

Waheed’s issued an apology on Monday, saying it had carried out temperature checks on entry and while bosses support the government measures, they were ‘very upset’ to be shut down.

It added: ‘We are at the heart of the local community and can unexpectedly become very busy. The customers who came as part of the event did not all come together.

‘As the number of customers grew, we moved some of the customers into our banqueting hall. We ensured that each table was following social distancing, and we took the contact numbers for track and trace’.

Another venue, Roberto’s Bar and Bistro, was also closed by the public protection team, a council spokesman said.

Lancashire Constabulary Superintendent Andrea Barrow said they understand that ‘times are currently difficult’ for businesses but wanted to be ‘really clear’ that police will enforce rules when they need to, ‘especially around repeat offenders, significant gatherings and people who deliberately flout the regulations and put others at risk’.

Deputy council leader Phil Riley said that government restrictions ‘must be followed’ to avoid harsher lockdown rules.