Playgrounds in Surbiton, normally full of boisterous and excited children, have fallen silent after Kingston council’s decision to close them all on Monday.

“Following the government’s announcement on social distancing and the need to stay indoors, we have decided to close children’s playgrounds in parks and housing estates,” said a Kingston Council spokesperson who added that they would be closed indefinitely.

“At present we do not plan to close parks as continuing with physical activity is important for health and wellbeing at this difficult time and we encourage everyone to do this in a safe way.

“We will continue to review this situation. If people do not follow social distancing guidelines, we will have no choice but to consider closing the parks.”

Other local public amenities which the council has closed because of the coronavirus crisis include Tolworth Recreation Centre and Kingston Adult Education at the King Charles Centre in Hollyfield Road, and Surbiton and Tolworth libraries (although the library service is live streaming events including the popular Rhyme Time, anxiety workshops and e-book reviews. Visit www.facebook.com/KingstonLibrariesHeritage  for further details.

For the latest information on service closures and to find out more about what the council is doing during to keep the borough running while its residents are told to stay at home to save lives, visit www.kingston.gov.uk/coronavirus