Councils have been forced to close parks and other public spaces in a bid to protect people from coronavirus.

Following concerns that people are failing to practise social distancing in open spaces, councils across the UK have made the decision to close their parks.

Essex, Carmarthenshire and Leicestershire CCs, and Hammersmith & Fulham LBC are among those that have taken this decision.

Leicestershire leader Nick Rushton said: 'I had wanted to support the health and wellbeing of our residents during these unprecedented times, but people's safety is my priority.

'Put simply, if there are too many people in the parks, it's impossible to keep to the Government's social distancing advice.'

Hammersmith & Fulham leader, Cllr Stephen Cowan, added: 'Our parks have been full of people this weekend with a significant proportion ignoring government guidelines on social distancing.

'This raises the serious likelihood of cross-infection.

'By closing our parks we are putting the safety of all our residents first.'

Other councils across the UK said they were monitoring the situation and would take action if necessary.