TOWN centres across west Wiltshire were buzzing on Monday as people flocked back to the shops after enduring three months of a third lockdown.

High streets burst into life as non-essential shops, hairdressers, barbers, leisure centres and gyms reopened their doors for business.

Rachel Thomas, manager of the Blue Cross charity shop in Fore Street, Trowbridge, said: "The whole town centre is buzzing.

"It's been like Christmas Eve before the advent of online shopping.

"It's really nice to see our customers again. We've had lots of donations and have made some sales. It's been lovely."

Around the corner, Naomi Kalgerou, manager of Shoe Zone, said: "We've had lots of customers coming in. We even had people queuing outside and have taken double today's sales target.

"Many people have been coming in for new school shoes and trainers and we've sold an awful lot of slippers and sandals.

"It seems like people have been waiting for us to reopen."

In Bradford on Avon, mother and daughter, Jo and Steph Harbour, reopened their Heaven's Bazaar boutique, having only relocated the business to the town from Bath last year.

Jo, 63, from Hilperton, said: "We only moved here in mid-August and were forced to close at the end of December.

"It's been tough for us but we hope now that we've reopened that people want to shop and pop in to see us."