Council prepare for Planet Ice rink to become a temporary mortuary at Central Milton Keynes

A council spokesman said: "As part of sensible planning we are considering what additional temporary mortuary facilities may be needed in Milton Keynes if funeral directors are unable to cope with a rise in deaths from Covid-19."

He added: "We’re working with the owners of Planet Ice to ready the rink as a precaution should it be needed to support local operations. Part of Elder Gate (starting from South Elder roundabout) and a short section of Avebury Boulevard will be closed temporarily to facilitate this. The supermarket access is unaffected."

The spokesman said ice rinks elsewhere in the UK have previously been used as temporary mortuary facilities because their existing infrastructure can typically be adapted faster and more effectively than other buildings.

Planet Ice, which is in the Leisure Plaza, closed on Friday March 20, days before Covid-19 lockdown measures were introduced.