covid rules are eased across england, much of scotland and wales, but people are asked to be responsible. indoor drinks — in limited groups — are back on for millions of people, as well as other indoor hospitality, but ministers still urge caution. i would suggest that people exercise caution, as the prime minister said, and that involves washing your hands, keeping social distance, making sure there's ventilation. here in basildon, we have been finding plenty of people today who are very happy indeed that they can now entertain themselves indoors, including tenpin bowling. we'll bring you all the latest on what you can and can't do across the uk. also this lunchtime: thousands take advantage of the new travel rules and

head overseas in the first legal foreign holidays for months. ijust want i just want to ijust want to get to the villa, get out in _ ijust want to get to the villa, get out in the — ijust want to get to the villa, get out in the sun! the weather has been so awful— out in the sun! the weather has been so awful in_ out in the sun! the weather has been so awful in the uk. as fighting between israel and palestinian militants enters its second week, the us urges both sides to ensure the protection of civilians. and prince charles says plant a tree to mark the queen's platinum jubilee next year. coming up in the sport later in the hour on the bbc news channel — back on track, horse racing's the first sport to welcome back spectators, with lockdown restrictions being eased.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news at one. borisjohnson has urged people to exercise a "heavy dose of caution" as many covid restrictions are lifted across england, wales and much of scotland. the changes come amid growing fears about the spread of the indian variant in britain. let's take a closer look at some of the relaxations today. in england, pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve people inside. cinemas, museums, soft—play centres and hotels can also reopen. groups of six people or two households can meet indoors and stay overnight. 30 people are allowed to gather outdoors. many of the changes in wales are similar to england, but it's still only extended households that are allowed to meet in homes. up to 50 people can gather outside for organised activities and events such as weddings. in most of scotland, six people from three households will be able to meet indoors at home. outdoors it can be eight people, from up to eight different households,

rising to 12 on most of the islands. the changes do not apply to glasgow and moray, where tighter restrictions remain. there's no change today in northern ireland, but it's thought a review on thursday will lead to relaxation in a week's time. let's cross to my colleague jane hill in essex for our first report this lunchtime. hello, reeta, thank you very much. welcome _ hello, reeta, thank you very much. welcome to— hello, reeta, thank you very much. welcome to basildon, where we have spent _ welcome to basildon, where we have spent all_ welcome to basildon, where we have spent all morning at a leisure park which _ spent all morning at a leisure park which caters for all ages and interests. as you can probably work out, including tenpin bowling, and a lot of— out, including tenpin bowling, and a lot of people here very excited that they are _ lot of people here very excited that they are now able to resume activities _ they are now able to resume activities like this. things are a little _ activities like this. things are a little different, of course, certainly never done tenpin bowling wearing _ certainly never done tenpin bowling wearing one of these before, and there _ wearing one of these before, and there are — wearing one of these before, and there are dividers and hand sarfltiser— there are dividers and hand sanitiser everywhere, as you would expect _ sanitiser everywhere, as you would expect it _ sanitiser everywhere, as you would expect it is — sanitiser everywhere, as you would expect. it is a big day today, a day of change. — expect. it is a big day today, a day of change, but an important day for

businesses — and an exciting day for a lot of— businesses — and an exciting day for a lot of families, a welcome shift for anyone — a lot of families, a welcome shift for anyone who wants to come indoors and enjoy— for anyone who wants to come indoors and enjoy entertainment like this, businesses hugely need this, that is what they— businesses hugely need this, that is what they have been telling me. but as we _ what they have been telling me. but as we are _ what they have been telling me. but as we are reflecting, it comes at a time _ as we are reflecting, it comes at a time when — as we are reflecting, it comes at a time when scientists are warning about— time when scientists are warning about the — time when scientists are warning about the spread of the new variant. our first— about the spread of the new variant. our first report is from our health correspondentjim reed. the tables are being laid. the beer is being delivered. the cinema screens are ready to be switched on again. i'm so excited, very, very much excited. today is the single most significant day for lockdown easing across england, wales and most of scotland. the message from ministers is one of cautious optimism. the data is positive, but it's up to the public to use common sense. i would suggest that people exercise caution, as the prime minister said, and that involves washing your hands, keeping social distance, making sure there is ventilation in terms of windows that can be opened, that will minimise the risk of infection.

instead of shivering together outside or in the back garden, groups are now allowed to meet inside once again, with overnight visits allowed in both england and most of scotland. most scientists are broadly supportive of the move, but say it does come with some risks. i think this is the most difficult policy decision, frankly, of the last 15 months or so. it's very, very finely balanced. we are at this point where we have lifted restrictions and yet we don't have that full amount of information. i think it is reasonable to lift them today, but i do believe people, all of us, need to be really, really careful. there are likely to be plenty of possible stumbling blocks on this road back to normality. in bolton, more than 6,000 vaccinations were given over the weekend as the town battles an outbreak of a variant of the virus first found in india. sharp scratch. scientists believe this version can spread more

easily than the so—called kent variant, dominant across the country, but, crucially, an early study demonstrates how early vaccines are likely to be affected. we have 1300 odd cases of the indian variant spreading in our community and that this is why the screening, so the testing, the pcr tests, they have really brilliantly set down and started giving out pcr tests in areas like bolton and we as doctors are aware of it and we are trying to make sure we keep a handle on the situation. the message, then, is for anyone who is eligible for a jab to come forward and get one. across most of the uk, the signs are still positive. social contact inside is a reality once again and families can properly catch up, after a long, hard winter. jim reed, bbc news. the leisure sector has endured the most difficult year anyone can remember. today marks what businesses hope

is a return to normality. that is certainly what business owners have been telling me today here in basildon. 0ur correspondents nina warhurst has been to see a few other businesses reopening. 7am, and jackie is back, a regular at this cafe, she has bought a takeaway over the lockdown, but sitting in her own corner is so much better. it sitting in her own corner is so much better. , , ., , ., better. it is 'ust lovely, i mean, i used to be — better. it isjust lovely, i mean, i used to be a _ better. it isjust lovely, i mean, i used to be a regular _ better. it isjust lovely, i mean, i used to be a regular sitting - better. it isjust lovely, i mean, i used to be a regular sitting here | better. it isjust lovely, i mean, i. used to be a regular sitting here in the morning, doing my crossword in the morning, doing my crossword in the paper, and just generally chatting with the staff, they are amazing staff, i class them as friends now.— amazing staff, i class them as friends now. ~ ., , ., ., friends now. we are used to masks, hand sanitiser _ friends now. we are used to masks, hand sanitiser on _ friends now. we are used to masks, hand sanitiser on arrival, _ friends now. we are used to masks, hand sanitiser on arrival, and - hand sanitiser on arrival, and registering your details either through the app or pen and paper, but here is where things are very different from today. you will be able to sit down indoors, take your mask off, and said, if you wish,

with somebody outside of your bubble. in the hope is that the more relaxed we are, the more we will spend. relaxed we are, the more we will send. ~ . relaxed we are, the more we will send, . ., ~' relaxed we are, the more we will send. ~ ., ,, ., relaxed we are, the more we will send. . ., ~ ., ., relaxed we are, the more we will send. ., ,, ., ., ., ., spend. we are banking on a lot from toda , and spend. we are banking on a lot from today. and it — spend. we are banking on a lot from today, and it has _ spend. we are banking on a lot from today, and it has been _ spend. we are banking on a lot from today, and it has been anxious, - spend. we are banking on a lot from today, and it has been anxious, it i today, and it has been anxious, it has been — today, and it has been anxious, it has been nervous, it has been scared, — has been nervous, it has been scared, it _ has been nervous, it has been scared, it has been happy, excited, i scared, it has been happy, excited, iwhoie _ scared, it has been happy, excited, iwhoie mix— scared, it has been happy, excited, i whole mix of feelings, but this is where _ i whole mix of feelings, but this is where today's future starts. i can imagine — where today's future starts. i can imagine for— where today's future starts. i can imagine for the whole of the hospitality industry. it is estimated _ hospitality industry. it is estimated that - hospitality industry. it is estimated that covid - hospitality industry. it is| estimated that covid has hospitality industry. it 3 estimated that covid has cost each pub and restaurant an average of more than £a0,000. many will not make it. there are now 7% fewer registered licensed premises than there were prey lockdown, and more will follow as businesses are prised off government support. at this pub in peterborough, social distancing means they will only be able to fill about a third of the 600 seat capacity. it about a third of the 600 seat ca aci . . , about a third of the 600 seat ca aci _ ., , ., about a third of the 600 seat caaci . ., , ., ., ., , capacity. it means that our trade is a fraction of _ capacity. it means that our trade is a fraction of what _ capacity. it means that our trade is a fraction of what it _ capacity. it means that our trade is a fraction of what it normally - capacity. it means that our trade is | a fraction of what it normally would be at _ a fraction of what it normally would

be at this— a fraction of what it normally would be at this time of year, but we understand want the pandemic is meant. _ understand want the pandemic is meant, and we just go to weather the storm _ meant, and we just go to weather the storm and _ meant, and we just go to weather the storm and try to get out the far side _ storm and try to get out the far side of— storm and try to get out the far side of it — storm and try to get out the far side of it— storm and try to get out the far side of it. , , , , ., side of it. these gym buddies are havin: an side of it. these gym buddies are having an indoor, _ side of it. these gym buddies are having an indoor, seated - side of it. these gym buddies are having an indoor, seated to - side of it. these gym buddies are having an indoor, seated to catchj side of it. these gym buddies are i having an indoor, seated to catch up for the first time ever. i having an indoor, seated to catch up for the first time ever.— for the first time ever. i have not really spoken _ for the first time ever. i have not really spoken to _ for the first time ever. i have not really spoken to them _ for the first time ever. i have not really spoken to them since - for the first time ever. i have not really spoken to them since the i really spoken to them since the lockdown. it is nicejust really spoken to them since the lockdown. it is nice just to sit down with somebody and have a quick chat before work starts. i down with somebody and have a quick chat before work starts.— chat before work starts. i love it, it's nice and _ chat before work starts. i love it, it's nice and warm, _ chat before work starts. i love it, it's nice and warm, for— chat before work starts. i love it, it's nice and warm, for a - chat before work starts. i love it, it's nice and warm, for a start, i it's nice and warm, for a start, which — it's nice and warm, for a start, which is — it's nice and warm, for a start, which is good, and just the social side, _ which is good, and just the social side, we — which is good, and just the social side, we have missed it, haven't we? do you _ side, we have missed it, haven't we? do you think— side, we have missed it, haven't we? do you think you will spend more money now?— do you think you will spend more mone now? ' :: :: , ., ., ., , ., money now? 100%, i have got money to send now! money now? 10096, i have got money to spend now! how— money now? 10096, i have got money to spend now! how long _ money now? 10096, i have got money to spend now! how long that _ money now? 10096, i have got money to spend now! how long that surge - money now? 10096, i have got money to spend now! how long that surge in - spend now! how long that surge in send will spend now! how long that surge in spend will last _ spend now! how long that surge in spend will last is _ spend now! how long that surge in spend will last is a _ spend now! how long that surge in spend will last is a question - spend now! how long that surge in spend will last is a question for. spend will last is a question for another day, because for now drinks are being poured, stories are being shed, and it feels a little bit like it did before. nina will —— nina warhurst, bbc news.

we're joined now by mat harper from hollywood bowl. really quite a lot of people here today, i should really quite a lot of people here today, ishould not really quite a lot of people here today, i should not say i am surprised, but it is a weekday, what does this mean to you? it is surprised, but it is a weekday, what does this mean to you?— does this mean to you? it is a massive day _ does this mean to you? it is a massive day for _ does this mean to you? it is a massive day for our _ does this mean to you? it is a massive day for our business, does this mean to you? it is a . massive day for our business, we have got 64 centres across the uk, 1700 team members, so we have all been waiting to get back, and it is amazing to see some customers again. it has been a long time coming, but we are super excited. and it has been a long time coming, but we are super excited.— we are super excited. and can you make the maths _ we are super excited. and can you make the maths of— we are super excited. and can you make the maths of it _ we are super excited. and can you make the maths of it add - we are super excited. and can you make the maths of it add up - we are super excited. and can you make the maths of it add up as i we are super excited. and can you i make the maths of it add up as well? because your costs must be high, you have to do extra cleaning, extra facilities, can you allow as many people in as normal? it facilities, can you allow as many people in as normal?— facilities, can you allow as many people in as normal? it has been very tough. _ people in as normal? it has been very tough. for— people in as normal? it has been very tough, for sure. _ people in as normal? it has been very tough, for sure. over i people in as normal? it has been very tough, for sure. over the i people in as normal? it has been l very tough, for sure. over the last year, we have only been open about eight weeks, but we have got a pretty busy booking sheets for the coming weeks, and we are operating under restrictions at the moment in terms of capacity, but we are confident that we can power on through that and hopefully at some point in the future, injune or

later, we will be back to normal. thank you very much for now, a very busy day for you. what he says echoes a lot of what we have been hearing here, businesses very, very glad to be open again. reeta, for now, back to you. in scotland, most areas will see a relaxation of measures. but restrictions are staying in place for at least another week in glasgow and moray, where rates of infection are higher. 0ur correspondent graham stewart is in giffnock in east renfrewshire. graham, just remind us what is changing there.— changing there. well, reeta, restaurants, _ changing there. well, reeta, restaurants, cafes _ changing there. well, reeta, restaurants, cafes and i changing there. well, reeta, restaurants, cafes and bars l changing there. well, reeta, i restaurants, cafes and bars have in fact been open here for the last three weeks, but if you wanted to enjoy an alcoholic drink, you had to do so outside. all of the changes from today in most of mainland scotland. 0bviously, that has been a huge boon for the hospitality industry. 0ther huge boon for the hospitality industry. other new freedoms include being able to visit other people's

households, up to six people from three different households, and you can meet people in the pub if you want. we have got venues like cinemas and bowling alleys and theatres reopening for the first time in months. butjust ten miles down the road from me in glasgow, you can't do any of these things, and that is because at the last minute on friday, the first minister announced that both glasgow and moray in the north of scotland would remain under the title at level three restrictions, and that is due simply to hide case numbers of the covid virus, thought to be in part related to the indian variant. but here is the thing — in east renfrewshire here, we have a situation where case numbers are also rising rapidly, the rate per 100,000 is greater than it is in moray, but the deputy first minister has told the bbc this morning that he doesn't want areas to be going in and out of restrictions like a

yo—yo, but it does remain a very precarious situation. yo-yo, but it does remain a very precarious situation.— precarious situation. thanks, graham- _ indoor hospitality has also reopened in wales, with up to six people from different households allowed to meet inside. up to 50 people can attend an organised outdoor event, such as a wedding. here's tomos morgan. the first breakfasts being served inside once again after five months. the bull terrier cafe tried to open as a takeaway last week, but being upstairs in cardiff market means it only made a fiver a day. it was diabolical, to be honest. but this is our first day today and i can't wait, i can't wait, i'm so excited. and it's a welcome return for linda, who has been coming here twice a week for 45 years. it's nice, because i live on my own. sometimes, i can't be bothered to cook and it becomes dearer, so i can't buy everything. i can come here and it's already cooked, it's already there,

and it costs me £6. although bars and restaurants reopened with groups of six able to meet up and have a flat white or a decaf inside, people must socially distance if they don't live together or are in an extended household. along with indoor hospitality, soft play centres, museums and cinemas reopen their doors today in wales, where social distancing allows. and the first minister here has held back on giving much detail on the next phase of unlocking society here in wales, because of concerns over the indian variant. so that means there are some industries still waiting for clarity on when they can reopen. with a capacity of 3,000, the biggest in south wales, pryzm nightclub will tonight be operating with only 5% of their volume, due to social distancing measures. as a business, that's just not viable. it's great to be open but it's just not sustainable for the long term. we really need a date from the first minister for when we can reopen

as a nightclub and, most importantly, when we can reopen without any restrictions. as service resumes across the uk, each of the devolved nations will continue to do so at different speeds. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. thousands of british holiday—makers have jetted off on foreign breaks for the first time in months. most destinations will require travellers to isolate when they return. but, for a few countries on the government's green list, such as portugal, there'll be no need. bookings are still low compared with pre—pandemic levels, but the tourism industry hopes confidence is returning. in a moment, we'll hear from our correspondent nick beake in portugal. but, first, let's cross to our correspondent sarah corker at manchester airport. yes, this is terminal one here at manchester airport. there are 30

departures today, including four flights to portugal. holiday—makers have told me, after a year of lockdown and restrictions, they are really looking forward to some guaranteed sunshine. portugal, of course, is the only major holiday destination on that green list. it is still pretty quiet here but lots of people have been jetting off this morning. foreign getaways are back. this is the 6am flight from manchester heading to the algarve. holiday—makers told me they could not wait to get to portugal's golden beaches. we haven't seen each other, really, since christmas 2019. we are sisters, we have met up and this is ourfirst trip. we sisters, we have met up and this is ourfirst trip-— our first trip. we actually had dubai booked. _ our first trip. we actually had dubai booked. we _ our first trip. we actually had dubai booked. we thought i our first trip. we actually had dubai booked. we thought a | our first trip. we actually had i dubai booked. we thought a while our first trip. we actually had - dubai booked. we thought a while ago it would _ dubai booked. we thought a while ago it would be _ dubai booked. we thought a while ago it would be ok by now and itjust wasn't, — it would be ok by now and itjust wasn't, so — it would be ok by now and itjust wasn't, so this was the next best alternative — 12 countries and territories are on the green list, meaning you won't have to quarantine when you come home. it's no longer illegal to travel to amber list countries. but the government says you still shouldn't. plus, you will have

to quarantine for ten days when you get back. arrivals from red list countries must quarantine in a government—managed hotel and pay for it. you shouldn't travel to destinations on this list. this is a cautious restarting to foreign holidays. manchester airport is operating at around 10% of normal capacity. it is expecting 3,000 passengers today, but, if you compare that to a monday before the pandemic, that number would have been 90,000 passengers, so this is a slow and gradual recovery. getting away to a green list destination takes some planning. you have to have a covid test three days before departure and when you get back. at heathrow this morning, these passengers were relieved everything went smoothly. we didn't know whether we were coming or not, so it has been a bit of a cliffhanger. just

coming or not, so it has been a bit of a cliffhanger.— of a cliffhanger. just nice to get awa , of a cliffhanger. just nice to get away. first _ of a cliffhanger. just nice to get away, first opportunity - of a cliffhanger. just nice to get away, first opportunity it i of a cliffhanger. just nice to get| away, first opportunity it arises, it is time — away, first opportunity it arises, it is time to _ away, first opportunity it arises, it is time to be good to yourself. the traffic light system will be reviewed every three weeks. the travel sector hopes holiday hotspots like spain and greece will be given the green light soon. we would like to see more countries added to the green list. we think if we look at the trend on vaccination and infection in europe and the united states, it does give us room for cautious optimism that more countries will open up injune and july. countries will open up in june and jul . �* , ., . ., , ., july. are you excited to meet your grandparents _ july. are you excited to meet your grandparents for _ july. are you excited to meet your grandparents for the _ july. are you excited to meet your grandparents for the first - july. are you excited to meet your grandparents for the first time? . and there were long—awaited reunions today, too. the chamberlain family arrived back in london from australia this morning. they are moving back to the uk after three years living down under. welcome home! this is your home! you have never been here before. the world of international travel is now slowly opening up again. butjetting off on a foreign holiday is still far from straightforward. sarah corker, bbc news at manchester airport.

and there has been a mixture of nervousness and excitement among passengers today. travel firms say they have been like a delete seen a surge of bookings for portugal in recent days and my colleague nick beek is on the beach in the algarve. —— beake. thank you, those planes have been touching down and those lucky brits abroad are starting their holidays, many hotfooting it to the beach, the pool many hotfooting it to the beach, the pool, the restaurant and quite possibly the bar as well. and talking to portuguese businesses both big and small, they are delighted these customers are back and there is a real feeling today that, after an extremely difficult period, the outlook is very, very bright. this is how it feels to be on holiday again. the first wave of brits arriving at the airport. the portuguese tourist industry has missed them as much as it has missed the sunshine, sea and sand. taste missed them as much as it has missed the sunshine, sea and sand.— the sunshine, sea and sand. we were su osed the sunshine, sea and sand. we were supposed to —

the sunshine, sea and sand. we were supposed to come — the sunshine, sea and sand. we were supposed to come back _ the sunshine, sea and sand. we were supposed to come back before i supposed to come back before christmas but we couldn't because of the restrictions, so we are back now. a . ~' the restrictions, so we are back now. ., the restrictions, so we are back now. . ~ ., the restrictions, so we are back now. ., ., ., the restrictions, so we are back now. back today. looking forward to the sunshine- _ the algarve's biggest theme park has looked like a ghost town. with no visitors allowed, it's felt like a recurring nightmare for them. now, though, they're getting ready to open once again — making sure the place is clean and safe, as they finally welcome back their favourite tourists. everywhere you go, in any month of the year, you always have brits around. so when they are missing, not only a lot of the fun is missing, but of course part of the economy also suffers with that. your summer seasons back, summer begins. your summer season's back, summer begins. yeah. over the past decade, 90% of andrea's boat tour customers have been british. but this new mum has really struggled to keep her business afloat over the past year. we have a baby, and it's very difficult. because me and my husband work in the same company, so it's difficult, yeah. did you think you might lose your business?

yeah, yeah. of course, because we have been closed since last summer. traditionally, half of all foreign visitors to these shores are from the uk, spending half a billion pounds in a good year. and so when that financial tap was turned off, it hit them hard. the return of british tourists all along this coastline won't change the fortunes of the algarve overnight. but it's a big boost to individual businesses, but also to people's spirits, giving hope that finally this really important tourism sector in portugal has weathered the covid storm. we were supposed to open last year... so now it's a race to complete projects that the pandemic paused — including duarte's new hotel. i hope that we have full of brits in this bar, for the coming summer. portuguese businesses are hoping they can make the most of being on the uk's green list for travel, while the likes

of spain, greece and italy are not. very positive for portugal. i feel sorry for the other countries, but probably we took different measures that we are getting the positive result out of it. and so the restaurants will fill once again — even though the state of covid alert here has been extended until the end of the month. but after a big surge in cases at the start of the year, portugal has made great progress and is set to reap the rewards, offering a taste of all that we've missed so much. those restaurants will be shouting at 10:30pm, those restaurants will be shouting at10:30pm, the those restaurants will be shouting at 10:30pm, the nightclubs aren't open, so it is a sign that things aren't completely back to normal and also businesses here don't know how many british tourists to expect but one thing is really clear, they are extremely grateful for the people who are now coming back. there is a real happiness on the algarve today.

nick, many thanks. the time is 122: pm. our top story this lunchtime... borisjohnson has urged people to exercise a "heavy dose of caution" as many covid restrictions are lifted across england, wales and much of scotland. and england's indoor attractions prepare to welcome back visitors. coming up in the sport in the next 15 minutes on the bbc news channel, the fight is on. the world heavyweight unification bout between anthonyjoshua and tyson fury is set to take place on august the 14th in saudi arabia. israel has launched dozens of new air strikes on gaza, as palestinian militants fire more rockets at southern israeli cities. the pre—dawn raids on gaza were some of the heaviest since the fighting began a week ago. the us said it supports israel's right to defend itself, but insisted that both sides must ensure the protection of civilians. 0ur correspondent

tom bateman reports. the israeli air strikes arrive before gaza's dawn. 0vernight, some of the most intense yet. it's bringing a devastating human toll. they are still searching through the rubble after yesterday's raid on a single street left dozens dead. they pray for a miracle, and then it happens. all shouting. six—year—old suzy eshkuntana survives, trapped for seven hours. her mother and four brothers and sisters died. in the hospital, suzy is reunited with herfather, who is badly wounded. israeli artillery fire continues. israel says it's destroyed hundreds

of miles of tunnels used by militants and claims to do everything to avoid civilian casualties in its strikes. meanwhile, the militant rocket fire into israel goes on. most are shot down, but many make direct hits. in this synagogue, as they mark an importantjewish festival today, there are prayers after a near miss. it does feel like the diplomacy is stepping up a gear. the us has been talking to some of the region's most powerful arab countries, trying to create pressure towards de—escalation, but the talks are very much behind the scenes and, so far, there is still no sign of a quick end to the fighting. tom bateman, bbc news, jerusalem. a report into how the police service of northern ireland handled the funeral of a senior republican has found officers prioritised public security over the enforcement of covid regulations — but did not show any bias.

her majesty's inspectorate of constabulary said it understood why the police took their approach, given the possibility of tensions. the funeral saw about 2,000 mourners line the streets in west belfast lastjune for the funeral of bobby storey, at a time when strict covid regulations were in place. when someone mentions a royaljubilee, you might think of street parties and bunting. but, next year, celebrations could involve a humble spade and sapling. the queen's green canopy project is encouraging us all to plant a tree to mark the queen's 70 years on the throne. here's our royal correspondent, daniela relph. there is planning to do 70... 70 clumps of trees. she left the spade work to her son. the queen, wrapped up in her headscarf, a prolific tree—planter during her reign, kept a watchful eye. this is one of thousands we will see planted to mark the platinum jubilee next year. planting a tree is a statement

of hope and faith in the future. as we approach this most special year, i invite you all tojoin me to plant a tree for thejubilee. in other words, a tree—bilee. and that tree—bilee, that started here in the grounds of windsor castle, aims to get us all involved, to create a lasting, green tribute to 70 years of public service. newsreel: after the spadework, a good watering ensured - the seedling got- a proper start in life. whether it was chile, or here in india... by planting a sapling, — her majesty commemorated her visit. ..the queen has planted around 1,500 trees during her reign. it makes the green canopy project a fitting legacy to the world's longest—reigning monarch. we are putting trees on the ground which will be standing there into the 22nd century and trees are something that we've all cherished over the last difficult year,

and outdoor space in general, so creating a new, ancient forest, as it were, seems entirely apt to celebrate her reign. royal mail staff have already begun planting trees around their workplaces and three million free saplings will also be available to schools and community groups. everybody who has got - the opportunity to plant a tree, whether it is a single tree at your school or- on a playing field, or in your garden or on your farm should take this opportunity- to celebrate her majesty's jubilee. the aim is to get the whole country planting a tree for thejubilee. something that can survive and flourish for decades. daniela relph, bbc news, windsor great park. more now on the easing of covid restrictions and visitor attractions in england can now welcome people indoors for the first time in months. it's a welcome relief for businesses which have had to stay shut during the lockdown. 0ur correspondent, fiona lamdin, has been to the sea life aquarium

in blackpool, where staff — and the fish — have been preparing for the return of families. music a beautiful underwater world, unseen by the public for months. but every day throughout lockdown, scott and his team have been caring for the 2,500 creatures who live here in blackpool. yellow tangs, a rare orange lobster, and phoenix, a 21—year—old green sea turtle who was very intrigued by our camera, to name but a few. the majority of the staff have been on furlough. their team of 60 down to just eight. what's the best way to touch these creatures? the best way to do it, two fingers together, nice and gentle at the top. you can do this for the starfish, and just the same way with the anemones, as well.

we have been doing lots of water tests to make sure all the water is ok, feeding the animals. some of the animals that we have here have to be fed up to six times a day. and also we've been playing music around the centre so the animals have been getting used to the noise ready for reopening. and after six months, today, they finally will, as indoor attractions are allowed to reopen. the pandemic, though, has cost sea life here in blackpool over £1 million. it's been very tough in lockdown, especially here in lancashire, because we've had some of the most severe restrictions in place during the whole pandemic. i started here on the first day of lockdown so i haven't actually seen any guests in the building. so the animals have been my only friends, so i can't wait to have people back and see the excitement on everyone's face. tourism experts believe these fish and attractions like this are vital to the success of the staycation. indoor attractions are hugely important. we know that visits to attractions were two—thirds down last year, so getting everything open, you know, those big museums, the historic houses that you might drive out and make a day trip to,

and some of the sea life centres and the aquariums that people can go