Revellers have been enjoying nights out across the UK in their masses despite the unusually chilly weather and fears of a second wave of coronavirus.

The boozy weekend comes as the R rate crept above 1 in every region of England last week.

Public Health England also issued a warning to young people not to ignore social distancing rules with coronavirus cases rising rapidly among people in their 20s.

Authorities are now actively preparing for a potential second wave of coronavirus, with a leaked scientific document yesterday revealing as many as 85,000 people could die in the UK this winter.

But the latest warnings have done little to stop Brits from hitting the town.

In Newcastle, the streets came alive as pubgoers flocked to Bigg Market to make the most of the bank holiday weekend.

Dozens of glammed-up revellers, including at least one hen party, were seen braving the chilly weather for a drink with friends – some enjoyed one too many pints.

This weekend would have been the Leeds Festival and Notting Hill Carnival. Revellers in Leeds instead traded the big headliners for live music in the street as crowds of people hugged and danced together to the tune of nearby buskers.

In Manchester, which is on the Government’s watch list of coronavirus hotspots, tightly-packed groups were seen queuing up outside pubs.

In an encouraging sign, two girls were spotted staying Covid-safe, wearing masks on the streets while still having fun. However, one man was seen wearing a face mask on his forehead.

It comes as temperatures plunged well below average for this time of year.

On Monday, London is expected to see temperatures of up to 19C, while Scotland could see highs of only 11C.

This year’s cold snap makes for a contrast with the same time last year, when the UK was basking in a 33C heatwave.

A leaked Sage report yesterday warned the UK could face tougher lockdown restrictions as the weather gets cooler.

The document, seen by BBC Newsnight, predicted in a ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ the UK would experience 85,000 deaths if a second wave of the virus hits this winter.

The report was prepared to help the NHS and other authorities plan for mortuaries and burial services to ensure they are not overwhelmed in the months ahead.

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