A cemetery will remain closed to visitors but Hertsmere Borough Council says it will continue to review the situation on a "daily basis".

Allum Lane Cemetery on the edge of Borehamwood will stay shut apart from for funerals and burials.

This is despite Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick asking councils to keep cemeteries and graveyards open, or to reopen them if they are currently closed.

Mr Jenrick, speaking at the daily briefing at Downing Street on Saturday, added that funerals can take place with close family members present.

Many people who have lost ones during the lockdown period have not been present at funerals or burials due to social distancing restrictions.

Despite Mr Jenrick's comments, Hertsmere Borough Council has decided it is not yet ready to reopen Allum Lane to all visitors.

A council spokesperson said: "We are so sorry that at the present time our cemetery remains closed.

"We are reviewing this on a daily basis and assessing guidance from central government as it becomes available.

"The health and safety of our staff and visitors to the cemetery remains of paramount importance and, for operational reasons, at this time we consider keeping this cemetery closed except for funeral/burial services is the most appropriate decision.

"Of course, we fully recognise the upset this causes people who wish to visit a loved one's grave."

Neighbouring St Albans District Council has decided to reopen three cemeteries.

The council says it has made decision based on the latest government advice.

But all visitors to the reopened cemeteries are told to abide my social distancing guidelines and stay at least two metres apart from people outside of their household.

St Albans district councillor Anthony Rowlands said: "It was clear this decision (to close the cemeteries) was causing much distress to people around the country and I think it only right that the Government has had a rethink and changed its mind.

"We are reopening the cemeteries as quickly as we can as there are some staffing and safety issues that we need to resolve first."