The seating area at Congleton McDonald's will be closed for the foreseeable future from today due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The drive-thru will remain open. The fast-food chain announced the move across all restaurants last night.

In an official statement McDonald's says: "In light of recent updates from UK and Irish governments, we are temporarily changing our operations to ensure the wellbeing of our employees and customers.

"From 5am on Wednesday 18th March [today], all restaurants will close seating areas and temporarily move to being takeaway, Drive Thru and McDelivery only.

"With immediate effect, all of our Drive Thrus and all McDelivery orders via Uber Eats and Just Eat, will be contact-free, with no physical contact between customers, employees and couriers wherever possible.

"In these unprecedented times, our restaurants will continue to remain open for as long as it is safe to do so.

"Thank you once again for all of your support in keeping one another safe."

Read the latest guidelines on Coronavirus here.