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THE UK's new pub curfew came into force last night - but it didn't stop Brits making the most of time at the bar.

New rules shut bars, restaurants and pubs at 10pm in a bid to quell surging rates of coronavirus - and in London, inspectors hired by the council looked through letterboxes to ensure the party was over.

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Revellers leave a Brighton Wetherspoon as a new 10pm curfew kicks in
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Revellers leave a Brighton Wetherspoon as a new 10pm curfew kicks in Credit: PA:Press Association
Drinkers gathered on the streets after bars and restaurants in London closed
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Drinkers gathered on the streets after bars and restaurants in London closedCredit: Reuters
People keen to keep the night going have been queuing for extra drinks outside off-licences in Brighton
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People keen to keep the night going have been queuing for extra drinks outside off-licences in BrightonCredit: PA:Press Association
Students in Leeds carried a box of beer back home
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Students in Leeds carried a box of beer back homeCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Some appeared to have overdone it, like one party-goer who was carried home by friends in Liverpool
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Some appeared to have overdone it, like one party-goer who was carried home by friends in LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
Nights were cut short around the country as the new shutdown was brought in
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Nights were cut short around the country as the new shutdown was brought in
In Birmingham, chilly autumn weather and a curfew didn't stop students from having a good night
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In Birmingham, chilly autumn weather and a curfew didn't stop students from having a good nightCredit: SnapperSK
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joined patrols in Soho
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Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick joined patrols in Soho
Boris Johnson brought in the curfew in a bid to curb rising coronavirus rates
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Boris Johnson brought in the curfew in a bid to curb rising coronavirus rates
After bars shut, enforcement officers in London peered through letterboxes to make sure there were no secret lock-ins
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After bars shut, enforcement officers in London peered through letterboxes to make sure there were no secret lock-ins Credit: @danbarker
The officials from Westminster council checked Ronnie Scott's jazz club during their inspection
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The officials from Westminster council checked Ronnie Scott's jazz club during their inspectionCredit: @danbarker

The officials, hired by Westminster council, were seen peering through windows and checking venues including Ronnie Scott's as part of their inspection.

It comes as UK coronavirus cases rose today by 6,634 in the highest increase EVER in 24 hours.

A further 40 deaths were also recorded.

It's a 95 per cent increase on the number of new cases reported this time last week. In total, 416,363 have now been diagnosed with the virus in Britain.

Last night, as the curfew was imposed for the first time, police patrolled night-time hotspots in London, and friends catching up over a beer in Soho were turfed out of pubs.

Dame Cressida Dick, the Met Police's Commissioner, joined PCs on foot patrol as the regulations began.

In Preston and Leeds, students celebrating their first term of university carried boxes of drinks home with them.  

Queues also built outside off-licences in Brighton as students continue having fun.

In Leeds, people bought more beer and crisps as they returned home for the night
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In Leeds, people bought more beer and crisps as they returned home for the nightCredit: NB PRESS LTD
These girls were caught out by downpours as they left the city centre
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These girls were caught out by downpours as they left the city centreCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Police told drinkers to get ready to pack up and go home as the time neared 10pm
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Police told drinkers to get ready to pack up and go home as the time neared 10pmCredit: AFP or licensors
Drinkers left pubs with plastic pint glasses as the curfew began
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Drinkers left pubs with plastic pint glasses as the curfew beganCredit: PA:Press Association
People walk home in Birmingham after the pub shut
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People walk home in Birmingham after the pub shutCredit: SnapperSK
Friends left Molly Malones in Brighton after the early closing
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Friends left Molly Malones in Brighton after the early closingCredit: PA:Press Association
A party-goer wearing white feathers was one of the last to walk onto the street in Soho
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A party-goer wearing white feathers was one of the last to walk onto the street in SohoCredit: AFP or licensors
Drinkers in the capital keep to the new rule of six
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Drinkers in the capital keep to the new rule of six Credit: AFP or licensors
Students in Preston are among those prepared to make the most of their evening
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Students in Preston are among those prepared to make the most of their evening
At 7.30pm, friends in Birmingham rushed to get to the next bar
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At 7.30pm, friends in Birmingham rushed to get to the next bar Credit: SnapperSK
Revellers wore masks as they waited to get into bars
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Revellers wore masks as they waited to get into bars Credit: SnapperSK

Boris Johnson imposed the curfew, which is expected to last for at least six months, earlier this week as ministers hope to steer away from a second national lockdown.

The new rules also ban customers from ordering from the bar.

The new curfew has hit restaurants who are now changing their bookings systems to ensure all customers are gone in time.

But the PM says takeaways can continue to be served past the deadline.

He said: "From Thursday all pubs bars and restaurants must operate a table service only expect for takeaways - together with all hospitality venues they must close at 10pm.

Officers are enforcing the shutdown in London last night
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Officers are enforcing the shutdown in London last nightCredit: AFP or licensors
These friends enjoyed one last round as it got closer to 10pm
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These friends enjoyed one last round as it got closer to 10pm
People gathered outside bars to finish their last drinks
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People gathered outside bars to finish their last drinksCredit: PA:Press Association
Party-goers queued to get into Players nightclub and the Figure of Eight Wetherspoons pub in Birmingham before it shut
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Party-goers queued to get into Players nightclub and the Figure of Eight Wetherspoons pub in Birmingham before it shut
Many students have been spotted wearing masks to enjoy their nights out
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Many students have been spotted wearing masks to enjoy their nights outCredit: NB PRESS LTD
Drinkers sat outside in Soho to make the most of their shorter evening
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Drinkers sat outside in Soho to make the most of their shorter evening
Friends in Leeds head out for the night
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Friends in Leeds head out for the night
Revellers across the UK went out for what is likely to be the last big night out in 2020 yesterday
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Revellers across the UK went out for what is likely to be the last big night out in 2020 yesterdayCredit: London News Pictures
These friends enjoyed a night out in Sheffield despite the rain
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These friends enjoyed a night out in Sheffield despite the rainCredit: London News Pictures
And the party ended late for people bar-hopping in Leeds
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And the party ended late for people bar-hopping in LeedsCredit: nb press ltd
These girls were spotted laughing as they fell to the ground on their night out in the city centre
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These girls were spotted laughing as they fell to the ground on their night out in the city centre Credit: nb press ltd

"I'm sorry that this will affect many businesses just getting back on their feet but we must act."

Tom Stainer from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: "This is punishing the thousands of responsible publicans across England who are providing a Covid-secure environment for their communities, while already operating at greatly reduced levels in their efforts to keep their customers safe.  

"Make no mistake about this – without a proper financial support package, communities will lose their local forever, people will lose their jobs, and publicans their livelihoods."

As well as the curfew, the hospitality sector will also be restricted to table service only as the Government outlawed drinkers making a trip to the bar.

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The number of new coronavirus cases recorded overnight is the highest since the pandemic took hold in the UK
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