People will be able to meet in groups of up to six from Monday, the Prime Minister confirmed.

Speaking at Thursday’s Downing Street briefing, Boris Johnson said the new rules would allow people to meet in larger groups in parks and outdoor spaces from June 1.

People will also be able to meet in private gardens.

Mr Johnson said social distancing rules would still apply. He asked that, in order to limit the spread of the disease, people did not meet others from different households in quick succession.

Announcing that all five of the government’s tests for easing the lockdown had been met, he told the daily Downing Street press conference: "I cannot and will not throw away all the gains we've made together and so the changes we're making are limited and cautious.

"It's thanks to the caution you've shown so far that all five met are being met.

"The result is that we can move forward with adjusting the lockdown in England on Monday."

He confirmed that nurseries, reception classes, years 1 and 6 would reopen from Monday.

There would be more face-to-face contact for children in years 10 and 12 at secondary schools from June 15.

Outdoor markets and car showrooms will reopen from June 1. Non-essential shops, including department stores, will be allowed to reopen from June 15 as long as steps have been taken to ensure the shops are “Covid-secure”.

People who are currently at home shielding should continue to stay at home.