A Milton Keynes ice rink is being turned into an emergency mortuary to prepare for rise in coronavirus fatalities

Work has begun on turning Planet Ice ice rink in Milton Keynes into an emergency mortuary.

Screening was erected around the ice rink yesterday and today, workmen blocked off all pathways around the building and put up black tarpaulin to prevent anyone from seeing inside.

The plan is that the ice rink will be able to hold bodies if funeral directors become unable to cope with a rise in deaths from COVID-19.

The 2,800 capacity rink closed on Friday March 20 due to the coronavirus crisis and the governments instructions against mass gatherings.

So far, there has been at least 11 deaths in Milton Keynes linked to coronavirus - but these are only the cases of hospital fatalities.

A spokesperson for Milton Keynes council said: