THERE has been a huge surge in the number of people visiting parks in Reading recently, according to the latest data.

Google uses location data gathered from phones to help public health officials understand how people’s movements have changed in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The reports use data from people who have opted in to storing their location history with Google.

The Covid-19 Community Mobility Report dated May 31, 2021, looks at data between Monday, April 19, and Monday, May 31.

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The results show there has been a huge rise in the number of people visiting parks in the area.

Parks have seen a 139 per cent increase in visitors.

More people have also been visiting residential areas which have seen a 15 per cent rise in visitors.

Fewer people have been using public transport.

This mode of transport has seen a 57 per cent drop in users.

The data comes as Matt Hancock has warned face masks and home working guidance could remain after the 21 June roadmap date so other Covid restrictions can be lifted.

The Health Secretary has said it still remains "too early" to say whether all lockdown restrictions can be lifted in June.

Mr Hancock said while nothing in the data suggests “we are definitively off track” with the UK Government’s plans to unlock England later this month, he insisted it was too early to tell whether the final stage can go ahead.