Local MP Munira Wilson has written to the Government today urging the reopening of garden centres and nurseries.

In her letter to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, she writes: "Given the size of most such establishments is comparable to large supermarkets and DIY shops which are able to open with social distancing measures in place, I believe garden centres and nurseries could open safely to the public while lockdown measures remain in place more widely."

Locally, Squires garden centre in Twickenham is operating a successful limited delivery service for orders over £50 and within a 7 mile radius.

Award-winning gardener Peter Seabrook last week wrote an open letter to the PM urging him to lift restrictions applying to garden centres and television personality and gardener Alan Titchmarsh has championed the campaign as well.

The MP's letter added: "Importantly, enabling people to garden not only improves their physical health and mental wellbeing, it encourages them to stay at home, which remains a key objective in bringing down the transmission rates of the coronavirus.

"I believe the case in terms of customer safety, promoting wellbeing, supporting lockdown measures and mitigating the economic impact on this particular sector, is compelling. I hope you will reconsider the guidance in relation to the closure of garden centres and nurseries."