Clapping rings out again...

THE weekly clap for NHS heroes and key workers rang out again at 8pm yesterday in a return to the Thursday night tradition of the first lockdown.

Clap for Carers has been rebranded Clap for Heroes as England entered its third national lockdown. The applause

came hours after Boris Johnson addressed the nation to promise the armed forces are primed to aid the vaccine rollout.

However the founder of Clap for Carers has distanced herself from the event after receiving “hateful” abuse on social media – including threats against

her family. Annemarie Plas, 36, a mother-of-one from South London, said that although the clapping should go ahead, she had opted to distance herself and “will no longer seek to raise further awareness of it”.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said he had joined the applause last night but

added: “Once again we took to our doorsteps to clap for carers but clapping isn’t enough.

“They need to be paid properly and given the respect they deserve. The vaccine brings us hope, and we thank the NHS workers, Army, volunteers and all those supporting the roll out.”

APPLAUSE On doorstep in London