Ashby Firefighters have assured the public they are still ready for emergency response - while taking every step to protect themselves from the Coronavirus bug.

In a message posted online on Thursday evening, the station saids that all community visits have been suspended.

It read: "From the Firefighters at Ashby Station.

"We'd like to reassure everyone that during these difficult times we are taking all steps to protect our community and ourselves from the spread of COVID-19.

"In addition to our standard cleanliness procedures, extra measures have been put into place to ensure that risk is reduced as much as possible.

"Regretfully this also means that all community visits have now been suspended until further notice.

"The crews at Ashby Fire Station are still training and keeping up their skills ready for any emergency.

"Please rest assured that our crews remain available for emergency response.

"We also have strict procedures to ensure that, where possible, safe distances are maintained between our crews and individuals, and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be worn where necessary."

The station's crew also offered advice to people working from home during the epidemic.

They said: "Please stay safe and take all precautions to do what you can to help with this crisis, with a lot of people working from home please check your smoke alarms are working.

"And please remember, where you are able to do so, check on the elderly and vulnerable people who might be in isolation - small offers of help go a very long way."