A NEW FOREST councillor has urged people to stay away from seafronts and beauty spots to help in the fight against coronavirus.

Cllr Fran Carpenter said police have told her people are walking too closely and sitting in their cars having picnics despite advice to stay at home.

"People should not be doing any of this. It encourages others to do the same, and you get a greater concentration of people in one place, potentially spreading the virus more easily from town to village" she said.

Police have also told local councillors about groups of youths seen out together in the evenings, particularly in the New Milton area.

"Groups of youths are regularly being seen out in the evenings, quite openly interacting too closely and acting in a very dangerous way for themselves, those they are with and their families" said Cllr Carpenter.

"This behaviour is extremely dangerous. If you are aware of such activity, or you know the people who are doing it, please report it on 101. This is so important."