PRIME Minister Boris Johnson yesterday confirmed that schools across the country will not reopen until at least March 8.

The statement came in Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons as Mr Johnson attempted deflect MPs anger at the rising number of deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was reported this week the number of deaths have passed 100,000 and many MPs are demanding a route map out of lockdown during coming weeks.

Mr Johnson delivered the grim news for millions of children and parents saying he realised "how frustrated" they will be.

"We will not persist for a day longer than necessary but nor will we relax too soon. The overall picture should become clearer by mid-February. Reopening schools will be our first priority."

The PM said that fast progress was being made on vaccinations with 6.8 million people - 13 per cent of the UK population - being given doses so far.

He said the NHS is on track to hit its goal of covering the four most vulnerable groups by February 15. The jabs should give them full protection three weeks after receiving them.

Mr Johnson said: "We hope it will be therefore safe to begin the reopening of schools from Monday, March 8."

He added that he hoped to be able to reveal his plan for easing lockdown to MPs from February 22.

Meanwhile, people across Wiltshire have made steps to keep positive during lockdown.

Volunteer groups are still working hard to support their communities and help alleviate loneliness.

Now, local traders have done their bit to spur smiles during this difficult time.

Katy Light, at Hillbilly Rocks Vintage in Devizes, has launched lockdown-inspired positive packs in a bid to boost spirits this January.

Each box includes one positive postcard, two badges, a keepsake, a pack of sweets and a herbal teabag.

The badges – adorned with messages such as ‘I get locked down, but I get up again’ – are available to buy online.

“I sat here one day and I just thought, you know what, I need to do something lighthearted,” explained Katy.

“I wanted to do something small so people could post things to spend, and not have to spend a lot of money, and put a smile on someone’s face. So I came up with these designs and had them made, and I was really happy with how they turned out.”

Hillbilly Rocks Vintage, which moved from Calne to Devizes last year, typically sells affordable vintage clothing from the 1950s-1990s for men and women.

Based in the Emporium in Devizes, Katy is looking forward when traditional trade can resume.

She said: “I’ve always been into vintage stuff, I absolutely love it. Every room in our house is a different decade!

“I started off very small in Calne about five years ago, and then I got a bit too large for the shop there.

“I had about two months of normality in Devizes and it was really going well to begin with.

“In between lockdowns, it’s been great, people have been coming out and supporting us.

“I really want to thank friends and family for support. I’m still staying positive as that’s the only thing you can do at the moment.”

People can order from the Hillbilly Rocks Vintage website or opt for socially-distanced doorstep deliveries.

Katy, who is also a Devizes Indies rep for St John’s Street and Long Street, added: “We’re just trying to do as much online as possible, before coronavirus I hadn’t done a huge amount.

“So concentrating on the online side has been good, especially as it just felt there wasn’t time to do it before.”

To find out more or to order one of the positive packs, go to hillbillyrocksvintage.co.uk/