Greater clarity on when we might be able to pop down the local for a pint has been welcomed by the British Beer & Pub Association.

But the organisation's chief executive Emma McClarkin, who is from Stroud, has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide more financial support to its members if they are to survive the coronavirus crisis.

She said: "We are pleased to see pubs includes as part of the possible reaping of the hospitality sector in July.

"This would be great news for those pubs who can meet the social distancing measures required by then."

Due to the unique nature and wide range of pubs - no two pubs are the same - for many it may be a considerably longer time until they can fully re-open."

She continued: "We have offered to partner with government on the proposed pilot testing of new COVID-19 secure guidelines to ensure pubs are fully included."

The BBPA has warned that around 40 per cent of its members - close to 19,000 pubs - would not be able to continue without further government support.

And it reiterated that warning ahead of the Chancellor's latest statement on the coronavirus today.

She said: "We believe pubs should only open when safe to do so, but without additional support now - particularly for those who won't be able to re-open sooner - many more of our nation's pubs and the brewers that supply them with beer will struggle to survive closure and beyond.

"To this end we will continue to press the Government for the ongoing support our sector needs.

"I urge the chancellor to announce more support for our pubs and brewers to see them through to July and beyond."

She continued: "Bridging the significant gaps in financial support for our sector and committing to help them when they re-open under social distancing conditions as trade recovers.

"Without specific additional financial support for pubs and brewers, the social hubs and heart of communities in many towns, villages and cities across the UK will remain at risk."