CUMBRIA'S and southern Scotland's Bothies are to stay closed because of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Mountain Bothies Association announced the update this week and appealed for people not to visit them.

A spokesman for the association said: "Our intention is to reopen as soon as we possibly can, taking account of Government guidance.

"Although we are not in a position to do this yet, we are actively considering all of the issues and will update this information as soon as it is possible to do so."

A Bothy is a hut in a remote area that can normally be used that can be used by hikers for shelter.

The decision applies to all bothies in Scotland, England and Wales - many have been locked.