BOLTON Council has announced that it is to close all parks and libraries in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

It comes as the number of confirmed cases in the town reaches 17, according to Public Health England.

With the government frequently advising social distancing and avoiding busy areas, the council has made the decision to close the places until further notice.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "Our top priority as a council is the wellbeing of our residents and staff.

"Later today, we will provide further updates about how we will be supporting vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We appreciate this is a challenging time for everyone and we are sure residents will understand the reasons behind this decision."

The council's site advises people on how they can follow social distancing procedures best.

This includes:

-Reducing the social interaction between people to help reduce transmission.

-Keeping a social distance of 2m (three steps) and remembering the importance of handwashing.

-Thorough and proper hand washing to protect you and everyone around you from coronavirus, at work, home and in public places.