THE VIRUS IN BRIEF

HEARTLESS thieves stole £1,200 of food earmarked to start a community food delivery service.

Fridges and freezers were emptied at the Old Vicarage in Worfield, Shropshire, on Friday night.

The raid has devastated staff at the hotel and brasserie, which has closed in line with Government advice to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Residents would have selected from a daily menu, delivered for only the cost of the ingredients – helping people who were self-isolating, or in need of a meal.

Warning other firms to be vigilant, owner David Blakstad said: “The people who have done this have not only stolen from us, but they have taken away the chance for the community to receive this help from us. It’s heartbreaking.”

West Mercia Police have asked anyone with information about people trying to sell food to contact them.

DIY sales have surged as Britons plan home improvements during self-isolation.

Wickes has seen a 180 per cent increase in online paint sales in the past week.

Paintbrush purchases have surged by 238 per cent, while 193 per cent more paint rollers have been snapped up.

Flooring and tiling sales have almost doubled week on week.

With spring in the air, the nation’s gardens are also set to get a makeover, with sales of shed and fence treatments up by 326 per cent. Compost and topsoil sales are up 154 per cent.

Gary Kibble, chief marketing officer at Wickes, said: “With many people spending time at home to keep themselves safe, our online sales with contactless deliveries have increased.

“One of the biggest areas is paint, as consumers look to finish or start projects they haven’t had the time to tackle.”

A COUPLE hastily rearranged their wedding ahead of social distancing restrictions and tied the knot at a rail station.

Claire and Matt Zinsner had a “simply perfect” service at St Pancras in London in front of two friends and station staff.

Guests had been pulling out of the nuptials they had planned for on April 11 due to the flights lockdown.

The couple, from Muswell Hill, north London, called off the reception – but then began to fear they would not be able to get married at all.

It took head teacher Claire, 36, less than two hours to book a registrar and restaurant – not telling hospitality worker Matt, 39, until the evening before.

She said: “Things really started to kick off, so I thought ‘I wonder if we could bring it forward instead?’ I took a gamble and booked it.

“Neither of us was fussed about a large wedding.

“It was just important to us that we got married.”