Pub giant JD Wetherspoons is to re-open the beer garden of their pub in Hitchin next month, in line with government restrictions.

The re-opening of The Angels Vault on Sun Street will take place on April 12, but it will operate with a reduced menu and shorter days.

The chain will see 394 of its pubs with beer gardens back in business - about half of the company's total.

The move is in line with coronavirus restrictions easing on April 12 for hospitality venues to open up outdoor space for customer use.

From Sunday to Thursday the pubs will be open from 9am until 9pm, and on Friday and Saturday the pubs will stay open until 10pm.

The reduced menu will feature breakfast, burgers, pizza, deli deals, fish and chips and "British classics".

Customers will be able to order and pay through the Wetherspoons app, although staff will be able to take orders and payment at the table from those without the app.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: "We are looking forward to welcoming our customers and staff back to our pubs."

Across the UK, the pub chain's 872 venues closed during the winter lockdown