Save the date! That's the reaction from a popular Hitchin pub to the prospect of beer gardens reopening again.

It's been a long and tough winter for us all through Lockdown 3.0 - but the end is fast approaching, following the government's four step plan to end shutdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised that the 'end really is in sight' as he revealed the route out of lockdown.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon Mr Johnson detailed the road back to normality for us all - which includes pub beer gardens reopening on April 12.

The news was greeted with cautious optimism in our town.

One of Hitchin's best-loved pubs, The Victoria, responded on their Instagram feed by the saying the prospect is "extremely refreshing news and some much needed light for us all."

The much-loved hostelry on Ickleford Road added in a message to punters, that they will await government guidelines regarding operating procedures but that they can 'officially start our countdown to reopening externally for you.'

The pub also advised not to contact them for bookings at this particular moment as "this news is as fresh to us so please keep an eye out on our socials for updates."

Hitchin Nub News says that after the year we've had, we can all drink to that.