BRITAIN'S most high-profile adventurer has been thanked for urging people not to visit North Wales until it is safe to do so.

Former SAS serviceman and survival expert Bear Grylls, 45, appeared on Good Morning Britain with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid where he spoke of his love for the region while urging people to stay away for the time being.

Bear, who owns Ynys Tudwal Fawr in Gwynedd, said: "North Wales is a place we obviously love - it has especially vulnerable communities, small rural communities and just ever mindful of respecting them.

He added that "our time will come when we will be able to go back there".

"But for me I have grown up with so much of that Welsh community, I love them so much and out of respect for them, let's just stay away and wait until it's safe for us to go to these places, that we really love."

His words have been praised by North Wales Police who, along with Betsi Cadwalader Health Board and the Welsh Government, have been urging people not to visit the region - especially now that lockdown restrictions have been eased across the border in England.

North Wales Police tweeted: "Thank you @BearGrylls.

"We look forward to welcoming everybody back when the time is right, but for now please continue to #StayHome and help #ProtectOurNHS."

And Visit Snowdonia tweeted: "Thank you so much for your support this morning @BearGrylls

"We look forward to welcoming everyone back here soon."

And "Thank you for saving lives by following @WelshGovernment and @NWPolice guidance by staying home. Travelling to holiday home or a second home is not permitted. Police have powers to enforce this.

Visit Snowdonia and Llŷn."