MARKETS across the BCP Council are have been cancelled with immediate effect.

Regular markets are held on Thursday and Saturdays in Boscombe and Poole and on Mondays in Christchurch.

A spokesman for the council said: "Following the updated guidance from government on social distancing, which was announced on Monday March 23, all markets across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are temporarily cancelled with immediate effect.

"BCP Council has contacted our market organiser to confirm this temporary closure arrangement. Our regular Boscombe and Poole markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, and Christchurch Market on a Monday, are immediately affected by this change."

Concerns were raised on Monday when Christchurch market went ahead, attracting many elderly shoppers.