Virtual council meetings that made Jackie Weaver an overnight internet sensation will end in May, the Government has announced.

But the decision, revealed in a letter to civic leaders on Thursday, March 25, has been criticised as "extremely disappointing" by the national membership body for local authorities and faces a legal challenge.

It means councillors and officers will have to attend public meetings in person from May 7 despite the Government's roadmap out of lockdown banning large indoor gatherings until May 17 at the earliest, while MPs can still debate remotely until June 21.

The new guidance from Whitehall comes with a call for evidence from local authorities over whether remote or hybrid meetings should be considered in the long term, so scenes that swept social media like the infamous Handforth Parish Council meeting could return.

In the meantime, the advice from Local Government Minister and Thornbury & Yate MP Luke Hall says remote access should continue to be provided to members of the public until June 21.

It says: "Emergency legislation regarding virtual council meetings will not be extended.

"Given the significant progress of the vaccination programme and the roadmap for lifting Covid-19 restrictions, as well as current pressures on the legislative programme, the Government has decided not to bring forward the primary legislation needed to extend the current regulations at this time.

"In order to support councils, guidance has been updated to help them operate safely and securely, including using existing powers to reduce the number of face-to-face meetings deemed necessary."

Mr Hall said: "Councils continue to play a vital role in our response to the pandemic and I am grateful for how they have used emergency powers introduced a year ago to continue to operate at a difficult time.

"As the vaccine rollout continues and restrictions are lifted, councils holding face-to-face meetings from May 7 are being given the support and guidance they need to do so in a safe and secure way.

"I am keen to hear from councils and local residents about their experiences of virtual meetings so that we can properly consider whether to make these a permanent option.

"After May 7, councils have a role to play to ensure essential meetings take place safely, following the necessary Covid guidance."

But Local Government Association chairman Cllr James Jamieson said: "This decision is extremely disappointing.

"The Government's own roadmap out of lockdown states that indoor gatherings or events – organised by a business, charity, public body or similar organisation – cannot be organised until May 17 at the earliest.

"Yet councils will be unable to hold remote meetings from May 7.

"MPs will retain the right to participate remotely until at least June 21 but the powers-that-be in the House of Commons will not make time available to legislate for councillors to do the same.

"The case is clear for the ability for councils to continue to be able to hold meetings flexibly.

"We urge the Government to reverse this decision and not force councils to have to hold Covid-19 secure face-to-face council meetings until all restrictions are lifted.

"Left with no choice, Lawyers in Local Government, the Association of Democratic Services and Hertfordshire County Council have made an application to the courts to declare that councils already have the powers needed to hold online meetings.

"The LGA will be providing support in these proceedings as the representative body for councils."