Thirteen pictures of local winter walks in Milton Keynes that have raised your spirits during the third lockdown

It is easy to feel disheartened after, once again, being thrust into a third national lockdown for our own safety.

When the weather is being kinder to us, stepping outside and breathing in the cold crisp air and admiring the great outdoors has so many postives for our mental wellbeing.

Exercise is one of the reasonable excuses for being outside in a public space and while you cannot exercise in a group, you can go on a run or a wander with someone else from your household, support bubble or one person you don't live with.

Last night (January 12) Home Secretary Priti Patel said that despite the country being locked in a fight with coronavirus and grappling with the infectious new strain, exercising is only permitted if done so 'locally' to your home address.

She said: "The rules are actually very simple and clear. We are meant to stay at home and only leave home for a very, very limited number of reasons, and that is obviously to go to work, only if you cannot work from home, in terms of schools they are open for (...) children of key workers, and of course outdoor recreation but in a very, very restricted and limited way - staying local."

Here are some of the best places in Milton Keynes where our readers have been taking a stroll in the winter, near to their homes.