Ashby's Market Street barriers are being removed by North West Leicestershire District Council.

And the town's shoppers have been praised for their 'sensible approach'.

The fencing was put up in the town to allow businesses to re-open safely whole sticking to the Government's Coronavirus guidelines.

There was some initial opposition to the barriers, but Ashby de la Zouch Town Council said the general response had been welcomed.

They allowed shoppers more room to social distance on the pavement, but there was a loss of car parking space as a result.

Now the District Council says that they can come down.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "The measures put in place last month to enable town centre shoppers to return and business to re-open were unprecedented and extensive, with preventing the transmission of Covid-19 being our top priority.

"We took a cautious approach and vowed to monitor this situation and listen to feedback from both the public and businesses.

"It's become clear that shoppers in Ashby are taking a sensible approach when it comes to social distancing and the barriers are not serving a necessary purpose.

"Government guidelines have also since relaxed to a one-metre plus approach in an effort to support businesses re-opening.

"All other measures such as one-way systems, hand sanitiser stations and the public awareness campaign continue to be in place – and we'd like to encourage everyone to continue to take a sensible and patient approach when visiting our town centres. This is allowing our retail and nighttime economies to re-open in a safe way, which is vital to our local economy."

The Council also posted a message on social media which said: "We're constantly reviewing the Covid-19 measures we have put in place in our town centres.

"The support of the public and businesses in Ashby in recent weeks means we feel that the barriers running alongside market street can now be removed, without impacting on your ability to social distance.

"This will free up the parking spaces from today (Wednesday 8 July) onwards.

"Please continue to stay safe, respect others and follow the guidelines that remain place."

The decision was made after pubs and restaurants in the town opened last weekend with few problems.