Supermarket to provide queuing customers with umbrellas in Milton Keynes to protect them from summer showers

Co-op stores say the move will help keep customers happy and protected from the elements.

The umbrellas will be sanitised between each use, say bosses.

The retailer, which has over 260 food stores across 16 counties, said customers had been "fantastic" in working with them to ensure everybody kept safe during the coronavirus crisis.

And the store umbrellas come just after a recently rolled out second phase of social distancing measures including permanent hand sanitiser stations at the front of all stores and a one-way system being put in place permanently with the help of signage and the reformatting of shops.

"Hopefully the umbrellas will not be needed as we all enjoy a bright and hot summer!" said Central England Co-op store manager Matt Simpson.