PUPILS at schools across north Shropshire will begin to return to school as part of the easing of lockdown in England.

Children in Year 1 and Year 6 were allowed back into schools, provided all health and safety risks have been answered and physical distancing will be adhered to.

Staff at schools in the area have been working around the clock to make facilities acceptable for a return for pupils.

However, not all children will be returning, with parents retaining the right to choose whether to send their pupils back to school or not, with fears over whether physical distancing measures can be followed by young people.

Meanwhile, families will be reunited on Monday as major changes are made to lockdown restrictions in England.

It is part of a wider easing of measures that will also see groups of up to six people allowed to meet in public places or private gardens and outdoor markets and car showrooms reopen.

But government leaders have stressed social distancing measures must stay in place, particularly staying two metres apart from someone outside your household.

It comes as several scientists have criticised the move suggesting it is too early to lift restrictions and could cause coronavirus infections to rapidly rise again.