Greggs in Congleton will be offering all emergency service and health and social care workers free hot drinks during the coronavirus pandemic.

They have also taken measures to ensure the safety of customers in-store and will no longer offer dining-in.

Their official statement said: ''We'll be offering all emergency service personnel and health and social care workers free hot drinks on presentation of their work pass. They are doing an amazing job, and this is the least we can do to support them.''

Roger Whiteside, CEO of Greggs said: ''The Coronavirus crisis is changing rapidly, so I wanted to update you on the additional actions we are taking to help keep our customers and colleagues as safe as possible and to support our communities the best we can.

''Supporting the Government's guidelines on social distancing our shops will remain trading for as long as we're able to keep them open.

''However, we need to temporarily change the way we do things, to create a place where our customers and colleagues feel comfortable and safe with minimal contact.

''So, from today we will be introducing the following changes in addition to those already communicated: - Closing all of our seating areas and offering a takeaway service only (Click & Collect and Greggs Delivery are still available in their select locations).

- Closing our customer toilets to allow our shop teams to focus on keeping the shop clean and safe.

- Moving all items from our condiment units including milk jugs, sugar sachets, cutlery, hot drinks stirrers and napkins to behind the counter.

Our teams will be happy to pass these to you on request.

- Closing our water refill stations and not accepting reusable cups.

- Encouraging our customers to pay Contactless and to respect each other's personal space while waiting to be served.

''We recognise that these changes will make shopping with us more inconvenient and we're sorry about that, but keeping our customers and colleagues as safe as possible must come first.

''There are other ways to shop with Greggs which can help some of our customers minimise social contact:

''Supporting our communities and the people on the front line Greggs has a long-standing history of supporting the communities that we serve, and we'll continue to help the Greggs Foundation donate unsold food to good causes and deliver the programmes that support those in need.

''We'll continue to monitor the situation closely, reviewing developments and the latest advice, and inform you of any additional steps we need to take.

"We'll keep as many of our shops open for as long as possible, but you may see a change in our opening hours and range as we respond to this ever-changing landscape.

''We've overcome various challenges over the last 80 years, and as has been said by our government, we will do whatever it takes to get through this crisis together.

''Thank you once again for your ongoing support.''