PEOPLE are being urged not to light bonfires amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is appealing to residents to be “thoughtful and kind” and avoid lighting bonfires in their gardens due to issues their actions could cause others.

A message shared on the council’s Twitter page read: “With warmer weather arriving and more time to spend in the garden, you may be tempted to have a bonfire fire.

“Please don't light one. Consider the problems that smoke is likely to cause neighbours, particularly if they're unwell.”

It comes after Hampshire and Fire Rescue Service last week reported a number of bonfires being lit in the area.

As well as the bonfire advice, the borough council is urging residents to be mindful of other activities that could frustrate neighbours and generally be more tolerant during these times.

A message on the authority’s website reads: “Everyone is going to be experiencing difficulties and stresses because of the current restrictions on movement, with most people being confined to their homes and where available, gardens, for most of the day for the foreseeable future.

“These restrictions are clearly essential to reduce the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), and protect everyone’s health and save lives. We all must play our part in this.

“This means you will probably be seeing and hearing more of your neighbours than you are used to. In some situations, this may lead to frustrations or annoyance with e.g. noise you don’t want to hear, or things as like smoke from a garden bonfire.

“With this in mind, we would urge you to act more thoughtfully towards your neighbours – think about how noise from your home could be causing problems and upset to others.

“For the same reason, we would urge you to be more tolerant and patient with noise and activity that you won’t be used to hearing. There is a real need for us all to show some good will at this time.”

To find out more about the council’s advice go to www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-noise