Access to parks is being restricted in an effort to encourage people to follow guidance on social distancing to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.

Open spaces in Maidstone will still be accessible on foot, but larger children’s play areas, car parks, cafes and toilets will be closed with immediate effect.

The decision to introduce the measures follows scenes at the weekend which saw people continue to gather together in groups despite the government advising people to maintain a distance of at least two metres from others in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.

Maidstone Borough Council's edict follows hot on the heels of the decisions to close children's play areas in Swale and shut Great Comp Garden in Borough Green.

Andrew Williams, parks and open spaces manager at the borough council, said: "As a result of the large numbers of people who are still visiting outdoor spaces up and down the country we have taken the difficult decision to try and limit access.

"We fully appreciate our parks are really important places for local communities, especially at this moment, however we need to make sure people are keeping a safe distance from others so have decided to impose these restrictions for the benefit of all our residents."

Among the parks affected are Mote Park, Penenden Heath and Cobtree Manor Park.

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