WEDDING venues bosses in Oldham are "relieved" and delighted after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced coronavirus restrictions will be lifted for events next week.

The government was due to remove all rules but that deadline has been put back until at least July 19 after a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases and concerns over the threat of the Delta variant, which was first identified in India.

However, when addressing the nation on Monday evening, Mr Johnson said that there will not be an restrictions on the number of people who can attend weddings from Monday, June 21.

Premises must make sure social distancing measures remain in place though.

But the change in allowing more guests to celebrate at events has provided a much-needed boost to firms that have been some of the most hardest hit in the hospitality industry.

Mark Hopkins runs The Stables Wedding Farm in Delph, which also offers rooms, with his wife Deborah after opening it in August 2019.

They have not been able to host a wedding yet and are looking forward to welcoming their first bride and groom to their picturesque venue.

Mark said: "It is a relief to see that the government is showing dispensation and appreciation of the problems we have had.

"It is welcome and we have had a positive response so far.

"We had three enquiries on Tuesday morning and I think that is because we are a rural outdoor venue with lots of outdoor space, which can allow us to be Covid friendly.

"We can open the sides of the marquee up and the bar is outside too."

Although there will be no limits on guests numbers, indoor dance floors will have to remain out of action under the current restrictions.

Mark said he is carrying out risk assessments about the entertainment that can be offered at the moment with safety the main priority.

Manager of Werneth Suite on Manchester Road in Oldham, Imran Zafar, is happy with the government announcement.

He said: "It is the best news we have had since the start of the pandemic.

"We have a large venue and with the social distancing measures in place we will be able to get 200 people inside for events.

"I have been sending messages since Monday evening to people who have events booked with us."