Politicians in Gwynedd fear overwhelming numbers of visitors are in danger of spreading the coronavirus.

In a letter to Welsh Government First Minister Mark Drakeford, they said the numbers flocking to towns. including Barmouth, Aberdyfi, Abersoch and Morfa Bychan last weekend, were "unprecedented" and beyond control.

There was illegal parking, a lack of social distancing and concerns a repeat of such scenes could lead to a spread of Covid-19, jeopardising people's health, they said.

The letter was signed by Helen Jones MS; Sian Gwenllian MS; Hywel Williams MP; Liz Saville-Roberts MP; Gwynedd Council leader Dyfrig Siencyn and Gwynedd Council deputy leader Dafydd Meurig, who urged the Welsh Government to take action.

WG chiefs insisted they were working with local partners and urged people to follow the coronavirus rules.

The Llyn Peninsula is a popular destination with visitors. Pictured is the Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen late last month

It comes after "chaotic" scenes at the weekend where hundreds of cars got trapped, in  Barmouth, for more than three hours after a town centre road was closed.

Local doctor Eilir Hughes also tweeted: "I’ve been told there were over 20,000 people in Abersoch over the weekend. Population of Penrhyn Llŷn is usually only about 25,000. How on earth are services and infrastructure designed for the normal population meant to cope during times of a pandemic?"

In the letter to Mr Drakeford, the politicians said they sympathised with people wanting to come after lockdown restrictions were eased, but "the numbers flocking here are more than can be dealt with, which leads to a situation beyond the ability of the authorities to maintain order.

"Using Barmouth as an example, on Friday afternoon there was no parking available and hundreds of cars continuing to flow into the town.

"As a result there was illegal parking and cars could not move one way way or other."

Police towing an illegally parked car near Snowdon
Police towing an illegally parked car near Snowdon last weekend

It went on: "But what is most worrying is that so many were walking in the town that the social distancing rule could not be observed.

"As can be imagined, private and public toilet provision was wholly inadequate to meet the need."

They questioned if events like the Royal Welsh Show and the Eisteddfod were prohibited, why big crowds should be allowed to gather elsewhere without restrictions.

"Allowing large numbers to congregate without respect for social distancing can lead to the spread of coronavirus," the letter said.

Cllr Siencyn added it was "a serious health issue".

He said: "It is beyond the capability of our local officers and I would say possibly beyond the capability of the police to control so many people in so many different places."

Tourists return to Abersoch after lockdown. Pictured: View of the busy beach. Photo by Ian Cooper

They urged the Welsh Government to introduce measures to quell the spread, adding: "We are extremely concerned about the situation and ask for your guidance in the interest of the health of our people."

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We are working with our partners in local government to ensure the safety of locals, business owners and visitors alike.

"We expect everyone to fully comply with the coronavirus regulations in place in Wales.”

Gwynedd Council have been asked to comment.