A FLINTSHIRE councillor has urged others to remain active after opening up about the impact social distancing has been having on him.

Broughton community councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun, 79, spoke in recent weeks of his concerns for vulnerable residents who were to be asked to remain in their homes for weeks on end for their own safety.

He himself is now entering his fourth week of isolation and shared how the experience has challenged him.

"In some ways it has been traumatic," he said.

"I have been by myself all day, every day and it does get me down. "I am doing activities and using my computer but it is difficult, mentally.

"We have at least another two weeks to go and it is getting horrible.

"It's like being in a cell block and I have things to do to keep me busy but it is trying to keep the mind focused that I find difficult. "Every day is becoming the same and my main exercise is my one walk a day - I managed to get seven miles in one day.

"I am finding that when evening comes at about 5pm, I feel very tired and I don't know why. "I have been going to bed early and it is more difficult to get up in the mornings.

"I don't really watch TV - except for the news. But now the news is all the same and it's depressing so I am listening to that less now as well.

"One of my fellow councillors has been checking in on me which has been very helpful." Cllr Armstrong-Braun shared his advice in order to help others avoid "languishing" - which he said is something he has been struggling with.

"A lot of elderly people just go to bed but that's deadly," he said.

"People need to get out of bed at a reasonable time, have their food and do things.

"If they have a garden they can do some gardening - I have some branches to clear up and there's more to do there as well. "They need to stay active. I have work I am able to do on my computer and I am writing my memoirs."

Mental heath charity Mind has issued advice on wellbeing and coronavirus, including creating a routine and staying active at home: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/