PIZZA Express in Knutsford has donated a large quantity of fresh fruit and veg and fruit juices to Hope Central in Knutsford as it closed its restaurant because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The restaurant employs 26 people, including manager David Hartley, who said everyone was in the same position as he and his staff because of the impact of the virus outbreak on businesses in the town.

Julia Chard from Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe, which has also closed because of COVID-19, said: "My lovely neighbour Dave at Pizza Express came in to see if I knew of anyone who may need their perishable goods as the restaurant had closed, and I put them in touch with @WeAreKnutsford."

Pizza Express said on twitter: "As events unfolded over the weekend and with the increased social distancing being mandated, we no longer believe it remains in the best interests of our customers and teams to continue to operate in this way. We’ll open our pizzerias again as soon as it is safe to do so."