OWNERS given special permission to stay on Lakeside Caravan Park say they are safe and well and adhering to all the coronavirus lockdown rules.

The Thornley Leisure Park site on the water's edge of Winsford Flashes closed on March 21 following government guidelines due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But a number of people have been allowed to remain due to exceptional circumstances.

In some cases, their homes are being used by relatives who are in self isolation for health reasons or are considered vulnerable. Some people are believed to live abroad and were unable to return home.

Holidaymakers had to leave and the site remains closed.

David Thornley, managing director and owner of Lakeside Caravan Park, said: “Lakeside Caravan Park as of March 21, 2020 was closed to the public following the government’s guidelines that caravan parks had to close.

"Several of our customers had to remain on the park under exceptional circumstances, exempt under government guidelines, as they were unable to return to their homes.

"They are remaining on park and will be adhering to government guidelines surrounding social distancing, self-isolation and non-essential travel.

"It is essential we follow the guidelines set out so we can get on top of this fight against the virus.”

One Winsford man, now on his fourth year at the site, has been granted special permission to stay with his wife in their own caravan.

The couple have family members living in their home who are in 12-week self isolation due to the infection outbreak.

He said: "We all consider where we are right now in the safest place we could possibly be. We are totally safe and secure here. We are doing everything we can to keep ourselves safe.

"Everyone here is more than happy to follow social distancing and self-isolation protocol.

"There is a security barrier and each owner has a fob.We only go out for essentials like bread and milk. We're not desperate for anything."

The caravan park has around 200 units, he said, and most are privately owned.

The site it not residential but many owners stay in their caravans for most of the year, only returning home when it closes for around six weeks during January and February.

"You wouldn't believe we were in the middle of Winsford," said the owner occupier. "It is stunning. We look out on a lake and normally three or four times a week we see yachts sailing and there are often fishermen. It is so tranquil and peaceful.

"The homes here are beautiful, we've got a bit fridge freezer and cupboards with plenty of food to live on. It's like a small apartment."