'Don't blow it' warning over sunshine gatherings

[Beauty Sirikarn]

As the UK enjoyed the hottest March day in half a century, thousands gathered to enjoy the weather in outdoor spaces, prompting social distancing concerns.

Parks in Birmingham and Leeds as well as Brighton beach were busy on Tuesday evening. Two parks in Nottingham are now shut after "frightening" scenes.

Heath Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted to say "don't blow it" - urging people to enjoy the warm weather safely.

A Birmingham resident said scenes at a city park "looked like a festival".

"When I see the pictures I do get anxious," Prof Sian Griffiths, a senior public health official, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"If we're not in a household bubble we need to be two metres apart and I don't think those pictures look like that's happening."

Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen branded the scenes in Nottingham on Monday as "frightening" and has now closed two of the city's parks in response.

"We regret having to take this action, since everyone has been looking forward to the chance to visit our parks, now that easing of restrictions means we can meet up to six other people outdoors," he said. pg slot

"Sadly, the actions of a thoughtless minority has spoilt that. We will keep the situation under review and hope to reopen parks as soon as possible."