PUBS in Wrexham are making plans to welcome customers back inside in less than a month.

It comes as First Minister Mark Drakeford is due to announce that some lockdown measures are to be relaxed in Wales sooner than panned.

This means that, if the coronavirus situation continues to improve, pubs in Wrexham and Flintshire will be able to welcome us back inside from Monday, May 17.

Pubs are already announcing plans to welcome people back through their doors.

On Facebook on Thursday, the Royal Oak in Wrexham said: "Exciting news/Hopefully it will be confirmed tomorrow. We will be opening the doors again on Monday 17th May to welcome all you lovely friends and customers.

"It’s feels like ages ago that we served you guys drinks and saw your smiling faces See you all very soon

Some pubs are already taking bookings for May.

The Hill St bar in Wrexham said on its social media: "May 17th we will be re opening our doors to you all. Our online booking system is open now to pre book tables. Any issues please get in touch. We can’t wait to welcome you back. www.hillstwxm.co.uk."

And Bank Bar in the town said: "As the news is breaking that indoor hospitality may be opening on the May 17. We will wait for confirmation from the Welsh Gov and if this date is confirmed we will be opening on the 18th May. Our booking system will open first week of May once all the new regulations have been received

"We can’t wait to re open."

The Welsh Government has confirmed further relaxations will be brought forward from 17 May to 3 May – including the resumption of indoor supervised activities for children, indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults, such as exercise classes, and the re-opening of community centres.

This means Wales will have completed the move to Alert Level 3 by Monday, May 3.

Mr Drakeford said: “It will be for the incoming Welsh Government to confirm these arrangements at the next three-week review, which will be held on May 13 – a week after the election. It is my assessment that the hospitality sector – bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes – will be able to open indoors from May 17, together with all other tourist accommodation, indoor entertainment and attractions.”

Keep visiting the Leader website today as we bring you all the headlines from today's Welsh Government briefing.