WORCESTERSHIRE residents took advantage of the good weather over the Easter weekend, many venturing out for the first time since strict lockdown rules were eased.

As the stay at home message was relaxed this week, Worcester residents made the most of the opportunity to meet up with loved ones and friends - some for the first time this year - while keeping to a safe two-metre distance.

Crowds filled parks and green spaces, and Gheluvelt Park was among the busiest as temperatures hit around 15C.

A group of NHS workers took a well deserved break and were enjoying fun in the sun with champagne picnic.

"We haven't met since last year," Ananlisa Smythe, who works at Birmingham and Solihill Mental Health Trust said.

"NHS staff having a nice picnic in the park."

Julie Rensham, who works at Worcester City Inpatient Unit said: "We are all NHS workers, and we have not met up as a three since last year.

"It is lovely to finally be able to do it."

Cathryn Standen, a manager at Ramsay Health Care UK that supports the NHS, added: "We are all socially distanced, sticking to the Covid rules.

Meanwhile tennis coach Mark Jacobsen, from Freedom Leisure, was running taster sessions for the first time this year on the courts of the park.

"People have been really enjoying it, the weather makes it," he said.

"I have not done any tennis or football coaching for months, this is my job.

"This week has been back to normal, with a full week. I haven't done that since October.

"We have been offering free lessons for Cripplegate and Gheluvelt, and all the classes have been full.

"This is nice to see, people have been craving outdoor sport. I want people to finally been out again, after such a tough year."