From now on parking tickets will only be issued to cars left on double yellow lines, disabled spots or parked dangerously, Swindon Borough Council said.

No tickets will be given to drivers who are not usually allowed to use on-street residential bays, permited bays or limited waiting bays.

But traffic wardens would still issue tickets to cars parked dangerously or on double yellow lines and cars in disabled bays that do not display a blue badge.

Those with council parking permits will be able to park in borough car parks.

Writing on Twitter, the council said: “We will be keeping a close eye on numbers to ensure demand doesn’t exceed capacity. If that does happen, we may have to resume normal enforcement.”

The rules change follows the lockdown ordered last night by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.