Atherstone, hands up if you're planning to join in Clap for our Carers campaign

ATHERSTONE'S twin civic leader has called for as "many people as possible" to put their hands together in a national salute to honour the hardworking NHS staff battling coronavirus.

Councillor David Wright, now head of both town and borough councils, said he is "definitely" joining in the applause in a gesture of thanks to the frontline healthcare heroes.

Dordon is also preparing for the event with families everywhere having made their own videos to show how grateful they are, according to Atherstone town councillor Jacky Cahmbers.

"The village has also painted rainbows and put them up in their windows to send a message of hope to everyone in the country," added Cllr Chambers.

Everyone across the nation has been invited to join a a mass round of applause from their doorsteps, windows and balconies on Thursday at 8pm.

The Clap for our Carers campaign, which started online, is being staged because "during these unprecedented times they need to know we are grateful", according to the organisers.

It is part of the #lightitblue campaign which has been organised by members of the events and entertainment industry as a way to say thank you.

Chris Moyles and Kate Garraway are among the presenters who have said they are backing the event.

It means that people at different venues will be able to show their support while staying at home in line with current Government advice during the pandemic.

In a statement, they said: "The events and entertainment industry finds itself in an unprecedented state of enforced inaction.

"The best thing we can do – apart from staying at home – is to use our skills and networks to say thank you to everyone who is supporting the NHS and risking their own health to help others during this pandemic."