Moyse's Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds closed until further notice after coronavirus guidance

A Bury St Edmunds museum has closed its doors amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Moyse's Hall Museum on Cornhill will be closed from today until further notice after prime minister Boris Johnson urged people to avoid all non-essential social contact yesterday.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is also closed, while West Stow Country Park will remain open.

Cllr Jo Rayner, cabinet member for leisure, culture and community hubs at West Suffolk Council, which runs the attractions, said: "We are following clear Government instructions to delay the spread of the virus and protect our communities. Accordingly, we have taken the decision to close these two venues from noon today Tuesday 17 March, until further notice."

Cllr John Griffiths, council leader, said: "We continue to keep Government guidance and instruction under review as the situation changes, while still delivering essential services for our communities and businesses.

"Our offices in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket remain open but we would encourage residents to go online at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk in the first instance, to see if a journey can be avoided.

"We will be providing regular updates on how we will be continuing to support our residents and local economy as well as our partners as the situation unfolds.'

Council-owned leisure centres run by Abbeycroft Leisure in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Newmarket and Brandon are reviewing how they provide services in light of the latest government advice.

This comes after Bury St Edmunds leisure centre opened two hours later this morning.

Updates can be found here.