Harlow council has closed the Town Park car parks indefinitely in the fight to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Council officials hope the move, ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend, will help reduce unnecessary travel to the park.

A spokesperson for the council said: "While the government’s public health guidance allows people to leave their homes once a day to exercise, it does state that this should be done close to home and that people should not travel to do so.

"The council is also asking dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads to ensure they can safely stay at least two metres away from others. This is in keeping with government guidance and advice from charities such as the Dogs Trust."

For updates and reaction on the coronavirus pandemic visit our live blog

The government’s guidance on access to green spaces instructs people to use open spaces near their homes and to not "travel unnecessarily".

Brian Keane, chief executive of Harlow Council, said: “We hope that residents will understand our decision to close the Town Park car parks at this time. Council officers continue to carry out regularly patrols of the town.

2We are seeing the majority of residents sticking to the guidance. However there have been concerns and cases of people gathering and sunbathing in some parks, including the Town Park, and this could increase with the warmer weather. We are asking residents to only use parks and open spaces as part of their daily exercise or when walking their dogs, but to only use a park close to their home which is within walking distance.

"This is all part of everyone doing their bit to protect the NHS and save lives.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter account: @EppingFGuardian

Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Epping Forest.