LOCALS in one of Wiltshire’s prettiest villages have pleaded with visitors not to swamp their space as the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Visitors yesterday flocked to picturesque Castle Combe near Chippenham which has featured in several blockbuster movies including Warhorse, The Wolfman, Stardust and Dr Dolittle.

The tiny Cotswold stone village has also been used as a location for many TV programs such as Agatha Christie's Poirot episode The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Dick Turpin, Robin of Sherwood and Dr Thorne.

But as the sun shone and the government eased the coronavirus lockdown restrictions the village saw a big increase in visitors yesterday.

Now one resident, Carly Batten, of Whitegates, has pleaded with visitors to give the villagers some social distancing space to take their own exercise outdoors.

She said: “We as villagers are asking please give us our space to help keep us safe.

“Castle Combe is such a small compact village the residents can’t even walk out the front doors when it gets really busy.

“You can’t social distance properly; even on some of the footpaths it’s single track. Some footpaths run through properties as well.

“We completely understand people’s need to get out but please think of others who can’t get out and their only escape from home is a walk in their own village which they can’t do if it's full of visitors.”

Another elderly resident, who did not wish to be named, was selling ice cream in the centre of the village.

She said: "It was busier yesterday than today. I think that generally people are taking care.

"Obviously, I am trying to sell ice cream so I want people to come here. It's only my second day of re-opening after lockdown.

"I think people are being sensible. If people come too close, you would just move away."

More people ventured out yesterday to enjoy the sunshine in Wiltshire’s beauty spots and parks, including Barton Farm Country Park in Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge Town Park and the Lake Pleasure Grounds in Warminster.

Some parks and playing fields were noticeably busier with families and small groups enjoying the sunshine, although children’s play areas are still closed.

Most appeared to be observing social distancing rules by keeping apart from people outside their own small family groups.

The authorities said that nationally the predicted stampede on the first weekend since lockdown restrictions were eased had failed to materialise.

Traffic across the UK was only up between three and four per cent on last Saturday.

The 15 million daytrippers expected to go out largely stayed at home despite being told by the government they were allowed to travel further afield.

The lower-than-expected numbers could have been down to 'coronaphobia' with people wary of travelling too far.

The disappointing low temperature of 16 degrees centigrade may have kept many people away from the parks and beaches.

The Automobile Association said that despite the “heavy temptation” to travel to beaches and day out favourites many people had decided to stay at home.

A spokesman said: “They may have chosen to stay local until cafés and coffee shops fully open.”