CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has announced that both its outdoor play areas and outdoor gyms will reopen from Saturday, July 4.

They were closed back in March due to the coronavirus outbreak but with lockdown restrictions easing, the council has taken the decision to reopen them.

The outdoor gym at Westminster Park, Chester, will operate a one-way system and only one person at a time should use the equipment.

There will be entrance and exit signage as well as arrows on the ground to guide visitors through the site.

Some play areas will remain closed where improvement works are ongoing or planned.

Leader of the council and cabinet member for wellbeing, councillor Louise Gittins, said: "All play areas and outdoor gyms were closed in March at the start of the outbreak.

"We are well aware that coronavirus has not gone away but we're doing all we can to get residents back exercising in our outdoor gyms and children enjoying their play areas again.

"Our teams will be putting up signage and instructions to help keep everyone safe. Of course, social distancing guidance must be followed at all times.

"Before and after using the facilities wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using soap and water, or hand santiser, and wash them again when you return home.

"Please follow the signage and instructions and think of others when you use the facilities – thank you for keeping your community safe and healthy."

Other guidance regarding the use of play areas and outdoor gyms includes not visiting the facilities if you feel unwell, cleaning/wiping the equipment before use, bringing along your own towel for exercise, bringing a supply of wipes or hand gel to clean children's hands, not touching your face, coughing or sneezing into a tissue (or your arm if a tissue is not available) and coming back at a later time if the facilities are busy.