People in Swindon and across the country will be able to hug their friends and family, dine in restaurants and go on holiday abroad when lockdown rules are eased again on May 17.

The move came as the Covid-19 alert level in the UK was downgraded after a “consistent” fall in cases, hospital admissions and deaths.

The four chief medical officers of the UK have said the threat level should be reduced thanks to the success of the vaccination programme and social distancing restrictions.

The rules on outdoor outdoor gathering are changing, allowing groups of up to 30 people to meet. Indoor gatherings will be limited to six people or two households.

Pubs and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors, with limited capacity.

Cinemas, museums, theatres and concert halls are all set to reopen although there will be capacity limits on large events.

We asked our readers who they would like to hug first when the rules change next week.

Bob Beecham said he will meet his son in Newcastle next Monday.

Mary Yeates said: “My daughter next Tuesday. I haven’t seen her since last September.”

Teresa Twilton: “My hugs have always been reserved for children and my great grandchildren are in Cornwall. Hopefully, it will not be too long before visiting them for hugs. I’ve missed them."

But some say they will be cautious when it comes to hugging.

Patrick Connolly said: “As I still love my relatives and work in a job that puts me in direct contact with lots of people each day, I will be doing the sensible thing and keeping my distance.”

Confirmation that England would move to step three on the road map came from the prime minister at a Downing Street press conference after a Cabinet meeting to sign off the change.

The biggest easing of lockdown measures so far is designed to encourage people to take more personal responsibility for managing the risks posed by the virus.

Mr Johnson said should not “throw caution to the wind” in how they interact with others and is encouraging people to test regularly and follow social distancing when not with friends and family.

The roadmap remains on track for the next stage on June 21 and Mr Johnson promised that later this month the government would set out “what role there could be – if any – for certification and social distancing”.