Security has been enhanced around Windsor Castle ahead of the Changing The Guard ceremony following the Westminster terror attack.

Barriers were put in place around the royal residence in Berkshire on Monday evening to support existing road closures, Thames Valley Police said.

The force said the changes were “proportionate and necessary” but that there was “no specific threat to Windsor” ahead of the next Changing The Guard on Wednesday.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Hardcastle said: “While there is no intelligence to indicate a specific threat to Windsor, recent events in Westminster clearly highlight the need for extra security measures to be introduced.

“The force believes that it is proportionate and necessary to put in place extra security measures to further protect and support the public and the guard change.

“This is consistent with security deployments in London.

“Preventative measures such as these have been put in place across the UK over the past 10 years at various events.

“The national threat level remains severe, which it has been since 2014, and I would urge the public to be alert to the threat of terror attacks but not alarmed, and to remain vigilant.”

The colourful military spectacle takes place at Windsor Castle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in March and every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in April, weather permitting.

In pictures: Westminster attack Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Westminster attack In pictures: Westminster attack An air ambulance lands after gunfire sounds were heard close to the Palace of Westminster in London PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack MPs wait until the situation is under control in Westminster. 'The alleged assailant was shot by armed police,' David Lidington, leader of the House of Commons, told the house. BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Crowds gather in Westminster after shooting incident, which police are treating as terror attack BBC News In pictures: Westminster attack Police were also called to an incident on Westminster Bridge nearby AP In pictures: Westminster attack Early reports indicate the car, which mounted the pavement on Westminster Bridge and mowed into around a dozen people, was the same vehicle which then rammed into the railings of the Palace of Westminster, just around the corner Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack Security sources described the suspected assailant as a middle-aged Asian man, who is understood to have left the car before attacking a police officer with a seven-to-eight inch knife PA wire In pictures: Westminster attack Police have asked people to avoid the immediate area to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident AP In pictures: Westminster attack One woman has died and a number of others, including the police officer, have been hurt, according to a junior doctor at St Thomas' Hospital Reuters In pictures: Westminster attack At least three gun shots were heard by those inside Westminster, and proceedings in the House of Commons have been suspended AP

Tourists flock to see soldiers in their red tunics and bearskins processing to and from the historic building to the sound of a military band.

The new barriers will only be used to secure the route of the procession during the event and will remain open at other times.