Park playgrounds in Leeds closed to prevent coronavirus spread

Parks remain open until further notice, but gates to all playgrounds in the city are locked with notices in place.

The council has urged everyone to follow social distancing rules or parks 'will have to close in their entirety'.

A council spokesman said: “Many children and adults are continuing to touch and use the play equipment at parks across the city, which is creating a significant risk of transmitting the virus to other people.

“We fully recognise the crucial role our parks and open spaces play in helping to maintain residents’ physical and mental wellbeing, especially during such a difficult time for everyone.

"However we feel this is a necessary measure to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and to encourage more people to follow the government’s guidance on social distancing.

"We need everyone to adhere to the social distancing rules otherwise more facilities such as parks will have to close in their entirety.”

Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to order a widespread lockdown after thousands of people ignored calls for "social distancing" to slow the coronavirus pandemic.

The Prime Minister said he will be thinking "very, very actively" about what steps to take if people continue to gather in large numbers in defiance of calls to stay apart.

There was anger among MPs at scenes over the weekend of crowds flocking to parks, markets, beaches and beauty spots.

In Leeds, hundreds of people were spotted defying government guidance on Sunday morning when they lined up outside Tesco Seacroft.