In pictures: Shops reopen in Romford town centre

Non-essential shops have welcomed their first customers in three months, prompting queues outside many of Romford’s retailers.

Shoppers could be seen waiting outside stores including Primark and Sports Direct - the latter offering a discount to emergency service workers.

Markings encouraging social distancing could be seen on the floor while parts of benches were taped off to ensure people needing a short pause during their trip would not be sitting next to each other.