A church has closed off its car park after concerns of people from different households congregating there.

Kirk Braddan, on Braddan Bridge - on the TT course just outside Douglas, announced the ground’s gates were now remaining shut to stop individuals from gathering illegally.

The current lockdown restrictions forbid public gatherings of more than two people, which includes all indoor or outdoor events, excluding some exceptions listed on the government website.

The church stated: ’Unfortunately, we’ve had to gate off the entrances to church because people from different households are using our car park as a place to gather.

’While we are allowed to get out and about to exercise, that isn’t what has happened here, and it wasn’t restricted to one household.

’Those sorts of things not only go against the spirit of what is trying to be achieved right now, but it abuses our premises and goodwill to use Kirk Braddan as an opportunity to break the law.’

Kirk Braddan said on social media that it welcomed pedestrians passing through the church grounds when exercising and adhering to all necessary measures, as it is a popular place for walkers to pass through.

The church said: ’We can only allow this provided people don’t take the mickey.

’If we do find people not treating the churches respectfully, or potentially putting our premises in a position we haven’t asked for, we will have to invite the church mice’s friends round. And they wear bodycams.

’So please don’t arrange to surreptitiously meet your mates/colleagues/strangers-in-law, or to hand over interesting pieces of paper or packages.’

The message ended: ’It is not that hard to respect others, and we’ve not got long to go until things may hopefully return to some sense of normality.’