Leisure and library services run by Swindon Borough Council will return today after lockdown.

Steam Museum will be open this morning at 9am but with Swindon in Tier 2 people can only visit with members of their household or support bubble.

Visitors will also not be able to mix with people outside of their household or support bubble while inside the museum and must respect social distancing measures.

Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the museum and a one-way system will be in place. Visitors will need to wear a face covering unless exempt.

All visitors including season ticket holders will have to book online at steam-museum.org.uk

Central, West Swindon, North Swindon, Highworth and Park libraries will also be open today

A click, call and collect service will be available for books and members of the public can pre-book computers.

Items for sale at Central Library will also be available via click and collect

The quick choice browsing service is again available in the five main libraries. The library service will also offer its normal book returns and reservations collection service, the Home Library will return and the Local Studies team will continue to provide email support via localstudies@swindon.gov.uk

Further details about the library services on are available at www.swindon.gov.uk/libraries

Wedding and civil partnerships will be able to resume today, subject to government guidance.

Council leader David Renard said: “We have managed to keep the vast majority of our services running for our residents throughout the pandemic including our refuse collections and the support we provide to the most vulnerable members of our community.

“However, as with the first national lockdown, it was not possible to keep some of our venues open over the last few weeks as we joined the national effort to get our infection rates down.

“I’m therefore really pleased, as we come out of this latest phase of national restrictions, we are now able to reopen Steam and our core libraries, not to mention the Register Office for any festive wedding or civil partnerships.

“Although I am sure this will bring relief to some, we need to ensure we keep our guard up against the virus as we begin life adhering to the new Tier 2 restrictions.

"It is absolutely crucial we keep ourselves and our families safe this Christmas to ensure we do not overwhelm our NHS and the Great Western Hospital this winter.”

More information on council services can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/coronavirus