Thousands of drinkers have hit the pubs in England as lockdown restrictions are eased on what has been named ‘Super Saturday’.

Pictures show large numbers of people gathering with pints in hand, as the country emerges from a three-month ‘national hibernation’.

Massive queues have been seen outside pubs all day long, with some punters reportedly waiting up to an hour to get inside.

Hundreds of drinkers in Soho, London were photographed filling the streets, after social distancing rules meant that only a limited number of people could fit inside boozers.

Images from cities including Norwich, Newcastle and Bristol also show the celebrations getting underway.

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While many people kept their distance in pictures, others appeared to be ignoring the government’s one-metre distancing rules.

Pubs are among the UK businesses hit the hardest during the coronavirus pandemic, with industry experts previously fearing thousands would not survive.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, has described the Covid-19 crisis as ‘devastating’ for the sector financially.

However, fears are rife that drunken behaviour could lead to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Boris Johnson urged the public to ‘not let the country down’ on Friday before pubs reopned at 6am this morning.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference yesterday, the prime minister said the public needed to focus on ‘supporting the livelihoods of businesses across country’ – but must do so ‘responsibly’.

He said: ‘Lockdown only succeeded in controlling the virus because everyone worked together, and we will only succeed in reopening if everyone works together again, because we are not out of the woods yet.

‘The virus is still with us and the spike in Leicester has shown that. If it starts running out of control again this government will not hesitate in putting on the brakes and re-imposing restrictions.

‘Anyone who flouts social distancing and COVID-Secure rules is not only putting us all at risk but letting down those businesses and workers who have done so much to prepare for this new normal.

‘So as we take this next step, our biggest step yet, on the road to recovery, I urge the British people to do so safely.’

It comes as a new poll suggests more than half of voters think the hospitality sector has been reopened too soon.

The Opinium survey also claims that 73% of people expect a second outbreak of Covid-19 this year.

It states the Government’s disapproval rating is at 49% – with just 30% approving of its performance.

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