PUB licensees and their customers have been thanked and urged to keep following the rules when hospitality can resume indoors.

May 17 was the date put forward by Mark Drakeford as his assessment for when bars, pubs, cafes, restaurants and other such businesses will be able to open indoors again.

He said the arrangements were to be confirmed at the three week review - due to take place on May 13.

Insp Stephen Roberts of the Flintshire North Police team, and covid lead for the force's eastern division, said he is pleased with the way the outdoor hospitality rules have been followed so far and urged people to keep up the compliance as the next layer of regulations look set to be stepped down.

He explained: "It's gone really well for Flintshire and Wrexham.

"We implemented Operation Blue Nest with the reopening of hospitality, especially during the bank holiday weekend.

"It's been a fantastic response from licensed premises and the public.

"We've had no major incidents in any of them, which is testament to the hard work of everyone. "My message is a big thank you to the public for engaging with the regulations and a bit thanks to all of the licensed premises which have worker really hard to make sure they're covid compliant. "It's really appreciated by us and the local authorities, which we work closely with. "Moving forward, please continue with the cooperation and if there are any issues please don't hesitate to contact us.

"This is the opportunity to open indoor hospitality and if we follow the same pattern, we should have no issues at all."

Brian Vardy, chairman of Chester and South Clwyd Campaign for Real Ale, said: "I think all of the pubs are looking forward to reopening indoors.

"I'd remind people that this is their pub licensees' livelihood and if they break the rules the could lose their license.

"If people want their pubs to stay open, they need to follow the rules."

Speaking of his expectations as to the uptake when pubs do reopen indoors, he added: "I think there will be trade, but I suspect a lot of people will hold off for a while.

"We also don't know how many people have got into the habit of buying drink in supermarkets and having it at home."