NEW Forest leisure centres have shut their doors due to Coronavirus.

Health and leisure centres managed by the New Forest District Council will not be collecting direct debit membership payments this month.

The council-run centres will be closed until March 31 due to the global health pandemic.

Its centres are in Applemore, Lymington, New Milton, Ringwood and Totton.

A council spokesperson said: "As a result of government advice to delay the spread of Coronavirus, from 10.30pm tonight (Tuesday, March 17) our health & leisure centres will close to the public until March 31.

"We understand this will be disappointing for our customers and we thank you for your understanding.

"We shall not be collecting any direct debit membership payments this month.

"Over the next 48 hours we will be attempting to contact all customers booked onto sessions within our centres, can we kindly ask those customers who are currently booked on classes to kindly remove themselves from their booked sessions via the APP/Connect. This will assist us in reducing the number of customers we will need to contact by phone. We thank you for your help in this matter.

"We are working with the local schools to assist with their requirements and are hopeful to be able to meet their needs whilst maintaining the safety and welfare of our staff and their pupils."