By Doug Trench, Defence Editor

The Army has been called in to prevent people from ignoring the lockdown and heading for coastal hotspots like Aldeburgh and Southwold.

Three fearsome Challenger 2 battle tanks have taken up position on roads leading into each of the popular seaside resorts.

Even kiss-me-quick favourite, Felixstowe has Reconnaissance Light Tanks on the A14 outside the town.

The dramatic manoeuvres, dubbed Operation Numbskulls, will prevent people from thinking the strict lockdown rules do not apply to them.

And that includes all the rich London second-home owners thinking they can bring their disease risk from the capital to sleepy Suffolk.

An Army insider confirmed the tanks had permission to fire on any authorised vehicle trying to circumnavigate their checkpoints.

Anyone thinking of going for a stroll on the beach is warned a Challenger 2 tank is equipped with a 120-millimetre 55-calibre long L30A1 tank gun.

With a range of over six miles, it means those vehicles trying to get into Aldeburgh will be spotted as far away as Snape.

Government defence spokesperson Colonel Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: “Desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Any idiots thinking they can enjoy the Easter weekend by visiting the Suffolk coast will be met with the full firepower of the British Army.”

Meanwhile, Norfolk has had to build its own tank to keep bank holiday visitors away from gorgeous Norfolk resorts like Great Yarmouth. It is pictured during testing, below.

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