LIBRARIES across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will reopen in phases as lockdown restrictions are eased in England.

Leisure facilities, tourist information centres, self-catering accommodation and visitor centres are also reopening across the BCP Council area.

Libraries currently open are Boscombe, Broadstone, Charminster, Kinson Hub, Poole, Rossmore and West Howe.

Monday April 19 will see libraries in Canford Heath, Highcliffe, Southbourne, Tuckton, Westbourne, Hamworthy and Winton open to the public.

The following Monday will see Branksome, Castlepoint, Creekmoor, Springbourne and Oakdale open their doors.

Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre has opened some facilities including the gym, swimming pools, sports hall and squash courts.

Tourist Information Centres in Bournemouth and Poole are open along with some retail facilities and outdoor catering facilities at Highcliffe Castle, Poole Museum and the Russell Cotes Museum. The castle and useums themselves will not open until at least May 17.

Hengistbury Head and Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centres are open, as is self-catering accommodation at Bournemouth Beach Lodges and Steamer Point Lodge.

The Changing Places facility at the public toilets in Bournemouth Lower Gardens are also now open.

Matti Raudsepp, Director of Customer and Business Delivery at BCP Council, said: "We are delighted to be opening up more services as lockdown restrictions begin to ease. All venues that reopen will have strict Covid-safe procedures in place and we would ask everyone accessing them to follow the rules, to help keep visitors and staff safe.

"As we begin to enjoy access to more services again, please remember hands-face-space. Keep hands regularly cleaned, wear a mask whenever you should and follow the rules on social distancing. People across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have sacrificed a huge amount over recent months to stop the spread of Covid-19, so please help us to keep our rates low locally and take this next step safely."