WINCHESTER Cathedral has removed public seating from the Inner Close because of concerns about people gathering during the pandemic.

The church is worried about breaches of social distancing if people are allowed to gather at or around the benches.

In a statement the cathedral said: “After careful consideration, the seating in the Inner Close has been removed in order to support government regulations in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

“After an increase in social gatherings and anti-social behaviour in the Inner Close throughout the year, the decision was made to help reduce the number of people congregating and therefore to reduce the risk as, on many occasions, the seats were being used by groups as meeting points.

“We still welcome people to walk through the Inner Close, in line with current Covid-19 regulations, to enjoy the beauty, religious significance and history of this private space.”

Seating in the Outer Close, closer to the city centre, has not been removed.