Allotments could be closed if users have bonfires on them during the lockdown.

Allotments have not been closed yet, as people are still permitted to visit their plot to take daily exercise as long as they observe social distancing guidelines.

Weymouth Town Council has issued rules to its allotment users - such as to not share tools and to use hand sanitiser before opening and closing any gate locks - and has said that if these rules are not adhered to then the council may have no option but to close the allotment sites.

The council has also backed calls from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) for people to not have bonfires at this time.

A DWFRS spokesperson said: "Many people will now be spending more time tidying up their gardens, but with the closure of council tips and the suspension of garden waste collection services, there may be a temptation to have bonfire instead. Bonfires can very quickly get out of control and DWFRS has seen an increase in calls as a result.

"Not only that, bonfires can cause a nuisance to neighbours, especially for those who are at present unable to go outside of the perimeters of their property, so the only opportunity they have for fresh air is within the confines of their garden, so please consider your neighbours and whether it is really necessary to have a bonfire."

However, a local resident has said that some people using the Sandsfoot allotments at the top of Rylands Lane in Weymouth are following instructions.

They said: "Some of the allotment holders work on their plot but quite a number simply sit in chairs in the sun. Yesterday a number of holders lit bonfires – one was grass cuttings pumping out noxious smoke for over two hours.

"The council put up a notice asking for no bonfires but have done nothing to stop people driving to the site and staying there hour after hour. Many of the people coming to the allotments are clearly over 70 and some are infirm and will put a considerable burden on the NHS if they fall ill."

A Weymouth Town Council spokesperson said: "We received a report of a bonfire at Sandsfoot allotments on the 31 March. The following day we put up information sheets from the Dorset & Wilts Fire and Rescue and The National Allotment Society to advise tenants not to have bonfires on their plots. This information can also be found on the Council’s website.

"Tenants were also emailed and advised that if they do not adhere to these rules that the Council may have no option but to close the site. Any tenant that is found to be in breach of their allotment tenancy agreement will be dealt with accordingly."