IN scenes repeated across the country, hundreds of people in Bolton took to the streets to clap for carers and NHS workers on Thursday night.

Everyone came together, while staying very much apart due to social distancing, to show their support for all those working hard during the coronavirus outbreak.

It wasn’t just the public who got involved, Great Manchester Police shared their support on social media, as did local councillors and Northern Rail.

Lisa Haughton, whose daughter Jade is a nurse, took part in the applause. She said: “My daughter is a 24-year-old, hard-working frontline critical care nurse at Bolton, usually on the critical care and high dependency ward.

“She has lately been working on the corona ward and in A&E. She was reluctant to come to the front door last night as she didn’t believe it was a real event and even if it was, didn’t think anyone would participate.

“When I went out at 8pm and started clapping she joined me after hearing all the, cheering, whistles and fireworks.

“She was amazed and when we went inside, a lot of her friends sent her videos of all their streets clapping too, a real boost for the hard work that is yet to come.”

Doug Collier, from Kearsley, and who has self-diagnosed with coronavirus, cheered from his door.

He said: “We need to support them as they are doing a tough job in difficult circumstances. Far too long people have knocked the NHS and its workers and it’s time they were shown the support they deserve and got the pay they deserve as well.

“As a lorry driver and a key worker I understand how important it is to be given a boost by the people around you to keep doing a job in such difficult circumstances."

Anna Wong and her husband Paul even painted huge banners to show their support for the NHS. Anna said: “I had heard about the Clap for Carers movement and simply thought it would be nice to show our appreciation for the NHS.”