FAMILIES, couples, friends and young people are urged not to make the Good Friday "pilgrimage" to Rivington Pike.

The traditional walk attracts thousands of visitors every year, with a huge turnout in the glorious weather last year.

This year, for the first time in living memory, people are being asked to stay away for their own safety and others while the country battles to contain covid-19.

A spokesman for United Utilities, the landowner said that all the company's toilets, car parks and other gates entrances there are currently closed to help people comply with the life-saving physical distancing measures implemented by the Government.

The spokesman said: "We’re sorry to be doing this but for the well-being of everyone in our communities we need to restrict the numbers of visitors to Rivington this Easter.

" It’s particularly important on Good Friday as the Pike is a traditional favourite for families and we have seen tens of thousands of people walking up there in previous years.

“The risk of covid-19 transmission means that this year it just would not be safe.

"Even on the walking paths maintaining a safe social distance would not be possible.

"We have spoken to the traditional fun fair providers, and neither they nor the usual catering stalls will be there."

He added: " This will be incredibly disappointing news to many, but we hope they will understand why.”

The call comes as councils say they will be forced to shut parks as a last resort if people keep breaking social distancing rules.

The Local Government Association said authorities will be "reluctantly forced to close them" should measures be flouted by the public.

The warning came after a senior minister urged councils not to close parks unless it is "impossible" to maintain social distancing in them.

One London authority closed a park over the weekend after reporting thousands of visitors flocking to it to enjoy the sunny, warm weather.C

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chairman of the Local Government Association's culture, tourism and sport board said the association was well aware of the importance of open spaces to people who are only allowed out once a day ­— and that is why people had to play their part.