Sainsbury's head office says it will be putting up new signs and have people greeting customers as they arrive in stores to remind them of the new mask rules.

In a statement the supermarket said:

"From today, everyone in England must wear a face covering when shopping or working in our stores, unless they are exempt.

Throughout the week we'll be putting new signs and posters up in all of our stores and we will have greeters and security guards at the front of our supermarkets to support our colleagues as we help everyone get used to the new rules.

We continue to thoroughly clean trollies, baskets and checkouts and, as an extra precautionary measure, we have increased the fresh air circulating to make sure our stores are well-ventilated. We will of course also make sure there is plenty of hand sanitiser available as you come in and out of our shops.

We are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe this festive season – thank you for your ongoing support. "

Sainsbury's CEO Simon Roberts