Althorp Estate shuts Northampton beauty spot after police concerns at people flouting lockdown laws

Harlestone Firs woodland walks have been closed near Northampton after police "concerns" over too many people travelling to the site.

The popular countryside area, which is part of Earl Spencer's Althorp Estate, put up signs saying the walks were closed last week.

Posts on social media showed rows of vehicles parked on the A428 near the walks despite orders not to travel and exercise near home during the Covid-19 lockdown.

A statement from the Estate said: "Northamptonshire Police contacted the estate office to say that they had observed members of the public driving to the Firs, and that they had observed some gathering while not social distancing and had concerns.

"The police requested the Estate display notices saying the Firs was closed due to Coronavirus and we have complied with this request."

Northamptonshire County Council closed its country parks at Irchester, Sywell, Brixworth, Barnwell and Fermyn Woods following Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing the lockdown on March 23 in a bid to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus bug, which has now killed 127 people in the county.

Anglian Water also shut the area around Pitsford Reservoir on March 22.

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