Unsettling images show how the coronavirus lockdown has turned our town centres and seafronts into ghost towns.

Eerie pictures from Essex Police officers show desolate high streets, seafronts and public places.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Quiet - Leigh 

Braintree and Witham Times:

Deserted - Leigh Skate Park

Southend and Canvey seafronts would have usually been packed with visitors on sunny spring weekends, but sights witnessed by the officers show a stark difference.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Reflections - Southend High Street

Braintree and Witham Times:

Quiet - Old Leigh

It comes as the country follows the Government guidelines to stay home in an effort to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Closed - Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon

Braintree and Witham Times:

Quiet - Southchurch Park

Shopping centres such as Basildon's Eastgate along with parks also stood empty, as the police patrolled the county.

Braintree and Witham Times:

'Eerie' -  Southend beach

A spokesman for Southend Community Policing Team said: "It's eerily quiet around Southend for a Sunday afternoon.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Quiet - Canvey seafront 

"That said, we’re impressed by the way our residents are committing themselves to working with the government guide lines. Thank you. We can beat this."

Braintree and Witham Times:

Sunny day - Chalkwell Esplanade

Braintree and Witham Times:

Shut up shop - Southend seafront