Queues at Asda and silence at seafront - scenes in Hartlepool on day one of coronavirus lockdown

Customers could be seen queuing up outside Asda on Marina Way on Tuesday, March 24, with space between them.

The retailer is currently offering priority access to NHS workers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am-9am.

Like other supermarkets, it is asking customers not to buy more than three of any one item.

Asda said: “We're doing everything we can to keep our shelves stocked and our deliveries coming – our colleagues are doing an amazing job working around the clock to support you.”

Car parks were relatively busy at Morrisons in Clarence Road and Tesco Extra in Burn Road, but no major problems have been reported.

It comes as the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should only go to the supermarket for necessities as part of stricter restrictions on movement to try to limit the spread of coronavirus.

That includes exercising alone no more than once a day. That message appears to have been heeded in Hartlepool as the odd solitary cyclist and jogger were seen on the promenade at Seaton Carew.

Elsewhere, Boots on Anchor Retail Park, which is distributing medication to some of the most vulnerable in the community, is currently operating a one in one out policy for customers and a maximum of 10 at any one time.

Customers who queue outside are also being helped to observe social distancing with markers on the ground.