"I've been waiting ages for a pint!" Doncaster drinkers return to town's pubs

While some pubs appeared busy, many others were quiet with town centre streets largely deserted,

However, some drinkers were glad to get back to the pub – with customers showing a mix of curiosity and excitement as they returned to pubs for the first time since the Government ordered them all to be closed in March to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Clutching a pint outside The Gate House in Priory Walk, Barry Crawford of Balby said: “I’ve been waiting ages for a pint and to be honest, I was more curious than anything to see how it would all work.

“It feels a bit weird, leaving your name, standing apart from people and all that. but it seems to be working OK.”

However, some of the town’s bars were still closed today.

Pubs such as The Masons Arms in Market Place was still boared up while others like The Yorkshire Grey in Hall Gate and The Black Bull in Market Place have said they will re-open at a later date.

Mo Davis, who was enjoying a glass outside the Olde Castle in the Market Place said: “I've been looking forward to today but it’s not as busy as I thought it would be.

“There doesn’t seem to be that many people out but it might get busier later.”