Forget what Bob Geldof might have sung, suddenly everyone likes Mondays.

"This has been the best Monday ever. It's the best news we've had all year," said dad-of-four Jamie Askew, 33, as he and his family took advantage of the beginning of the end of Britain's coronavirus lockdown.

Video: Jamie Askew

Speaking on the seafront of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey he said: "It's lovely to see people getting out and being together again, especially the elderly. It's good to see a bit of normality returning and some light at the end of the tunnel.

"The past year has been chaotic and caused a lot of mental illness for so many. I can see why people get depressed. It has been a nightmare. We have missed the family big time."

He was with his partner and their daughters Lottie, five, and baby Poppy, who was born last August in the middle of lockdown.

Pensioners Sharon and Eric Ambrose drove from Hoo to Sheerness to see their grandchildren Matthew Dollman, two, and his brother Nathan, one. Mrs Ambrose, 69, said: "We last saw them just before Christmas when we made a quick doorstep drop-off to give them their presents.

"We have spoken to them on Facetime but this was the first chance for months we were able to hold their hands. It was wonderful although we are still all masked-up and taking precautions."

Husband and wife Colin and Maureen Lyons, both in their 70s and from the Medway Towns, took advantage of Monday's loosening of lockdown restrictions to visit the Island.

Mr Lyons said: "It's good to see people meeting up again but it could still all go horribly wrong if they don't take notice of the restrictions still in place."

The car park at Sheerness Golf Club was packed as members took advantage of the new regulations and bright sunshine to book a game.

Club secretary Alex Tindall said: "We were inundated with requests. We have more than 500 paying members and 100 of those were booked to play on Monday."

First on the tee at 7am was veteran member Robert Whitington , 68, who joined 55 years ago and has represented the club in many tournaments. Alex said: "It was only fitting he should be first."

Video: Golfers Ray Seager and Paul Onslow

The club had to introduce an electronic booking system for slots timed from 7am to 6pm because of Covid-19. Alex added: "When the system goes live at 8pm every night there is a log-jam to book a slot for the following week. Only those with the quickest fingers get a place."

Playing on Monday were Ray Seager, 66, and Paul Onslow, 63, who teed off at the 18-hole golf course in Power Station Road just before 9am. Ray said: "It was fantastic. I've never seen the place so busy on a Monday before. It's been a long three months. But the weather was perfect and the green is in a great condition."

He added: "We normally play a four-ball so the Rule of Six didn't really apply - apart from on my score card!"

Under existing regulations members still can't use the changing rooms so must change in their cars in the car park.

Also taking advantage of the new regulations was the Rev Cindy Kent from Minster who visited her son James in London. She said: "Thanks to the magic of technology I hosted a radio show on Sheppey FM, helped at my old church in Whetstone, north London, and then visited my son and his partner after hearing the great news that I am to be a grandmother."

See how the rest of Kent greeted the easing of lockdown restrictions here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey