Support groups can continue to meet in line with Covid restrictions, Hertfordshire's public health boss Jim McManus has confirmed.

Many people across the county rely on these groups for vital advice and support, for a range of issues as diverse as bereavement, health conditions or concerns relating to drugs and alcohol.

And at a meeting of the county councils public health and prevention cabinet panel earlier this week director of public health Jim McManus highlighted their value.

He stressed that the groups were allowed to continue to operate in line with 'tier 2' restrictions, which say that numbers must be limited to 15 and social distancing must be observed.

And he has, he said, already written to dozens of groups to assure them that they can operate within the rules, 'in case neighbours complain or the police turn up'.

The issue was raised following a presentation to the cabinet panel on the county council's 'suicide prevention strategy', in response to a question by councillor Lynn Chesterman.

She had been contacted by residents unsure whether their support group was allowed to meet under current restrictions, asking for information to be made available.

Following the meeting, director of public health Mr McManus said guidelines had been draw up to help support groups to continue to meet safely.

Highlighting their role in the county, he said: "Support groups do things for people which one-to-one meetings can't.

"They can help people understand how others have coped with issues facing them, they can be a place where you can be honest and share emotional challenges and get support from others.

"But also, people in your support group -for example coping with the aftermath of a cancer – will understand issues you are facing better than others because they are on the same journey.

"We want to help make support groups safe and can provide simple guidelines for this."