The Co-op has announced new measures to enforce social distancing in its stores, including Holbrook and Brantham, in a bid to protect customers and staff from the spread of coronavirus.

The retail giant has introduced a range of measures across its 2,600 stores, including floor markers which will define a one-metre distance throughout the store and two-metre spacing for customer queues.

The Co-op is also aiming to limit the number of customers in stores at any one time as well as reducing the number of tills open, to allow greater distance between shoppers.

Chris Whitfield, the Co-op's chief operating officer, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is our priority and we fully support the need for social distancing.

"We have introduced a number of measures in store, which will be reviewed on a daily basis, and we thank our customers for their understanding and support.

"We are immensely proud of our frontline colleagues and the work they are doing at this unprecedented time to serve our customers, members and local communities but we urge our customers to follow the Government advice to only shop for essential items and to be considerate of others when they are shopping."

The company added that to encourage the message to stay at home, Co-op stores will have reduced opening hours which will give staff time to re-stock and is encouraging contactless shopping where possible to reduce the handling of cash and speed up checkout.

Additional hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and soap have been provided to all stores.