It was the strangest Easter Sheppey has ever witnessed.

The Island has had snow, wind and bright sunshine in the past but never a coronavirus lockdown.

The most striking change was on Good Friday.

Hundreds normally gather on the top of Bunny Bank at Minster for a traditional multi-church service with three wooden crosses. This year the grass hill remained empty and silent.

Coastguards reported beaches at Minster and Sheerness, usually packed at this time of the year, devoid of day-trippers.

Amusement arcades at Leysdown which should have been rammed with noisy holidaymakers stayed shut.

But some holiday parks appeared to be busy despite the government ordering them to close everyone except those with no other home.

Cars could be seen parked next to caravans at Sheerness Holiday Park along Halfway Road. And it was the same at Eastchurch despite Swale council pleading with the public to stay away from the Island.

Philip and Shirley Cotton said: "We could not believe the traffic and the parked cars all over the sites. A resident told us the village had been heaving on Easter Sunday due to the caravan owners. Surely it is time for the council to step in and close these sites and revoke the licences where necessary?"

Paul Smith from Eastchurch has written to Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson. He said: "I have lived here 20 years and am well aware of the importance of tourism. But I am continuously dismayed to see families and groups, who are clearly non-resident, walking from the caravan parks.

"The Government guidance is very clear. Tourism is not a necessity. We all need to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. Clearly park management must take on board responsibility for ensuring compliance with the government guidance."

An 81-year-old widow from Sheerness, who did not want to be named, added: "We should make it clear Sheppey is closed. We don't want these people from London bringing coronavirus with them. It is lovely they like our island but they must stop coming and do what the government tells them."

No one from Cosgrove Leisure, which runs Sheerness Holiday Park, returned our call but a letter to holiday home-owners on its Facebook page makes it clear the park is closed.

Council spokesman Lauren Jones insisted: "People should not be visiting beaches at Sheerness, Minster or Leysdown. If everyone assumes it will be fine to nip to the beach or park for their exercise it will dramatically increase the chances of coronavirus being transmitted."

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