Andy Preston, who ran a hedge fund and a charity before he was elected as an Independent in Middlesbrough, insisted the measure was necessary to protect lives, saying the town has been officially found to be the most vulnerable to coronavirus in the country.

He owns a grade-II listed mansion with extensive grounds near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

The town's Labour MP Andy McDonald told the Guardian some of Middlesbrough's parks could fit within his grounds.

Stewart Park in Middlesbrough is one of the parks closed by the council.

He told the newspaper: "He can enjoy that, but people living in small terraced houses, they can't get their lungs breathing in a pleasant environment."

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Local government minister Simon Clarke, Tory MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has written to all councils urging them to keep parks open.

He said in a letter last month: "The ability to step outside, take exercise and enjoy fresh air is important for so many of us at this difficult time. For many people, especially families with children and those who live in homes without a garden, access to public parks is a lifeline."

But Mr Preston insisted it was right to keep three parks in Middlesbrough closed as the town had been found to be "the most Covid-vulnerable place in the country".

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "Our problems are bigger, our mortality rates will end up even higher due to a range of issues, and we need to take more drastic action to look after people, protect lives and also save jobs."

He said Middlesbrough still had plenty of space where people could walk, run and cycle while parks were shut.

"It is the case that when we had the parks open, we saw lots of behaviour that was risky, so closing the parks temporarily is a very small sacrifice that is worth paying," he added.

When he was asked about Mr McDonald's comment that the mayor's wealth and the size of his garden meant he did not understand the importance of access to open space, Mr Preston replied: "I have got to look at the facts and work with people and take tough decisions, whether they are popular or not, to protect people.

"Don't listen to Andy McDonald, he will say whatever he can to undermine me and get power for his buddies."

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Millionaire mayor who owns extensive grounds in Yorkshire refuses to open parks