SALAD Days and Holi Moli beach huts have been awarded an AA Covid Confident accreditation as lockdown restrictions start to be eased.

The Dunster beach huts were among the first tourism and hospitality businesses, ranging from hotels and restaurants to campsites and self-catering properties, to be given the new status.

Over 200 have been accredited, ten of them in Somerset, with 4,000 businesses having registered for the AA Covid Confident assessment scheme.

The AA Covid Confident assessment scheme is designed to support the hospitality industry in re-establishing and rebuilding consumer confidence as the UK eases out of lockdown.

Backed by over 20 industry bodies, it is evidence that hospitality businesses have the necessary protective measures, risk assessments and staff training in place.

Simon Numphud, managing director at AA Media, said: “At this crucial time for the hospitality industry, as businesses work hard to get back on their feet, the number of registrations to the AA Covid Confident scheme demonstrate our industry’s commitment to customer and staff safety.

“As people start to book holidays and days out, we hope the AA Covid Confident accreditation will support the public in making informed decisions with confidence.”

The scheme is open to all hospitality establishments. However, any that is serving food will need to hold a food hygiene score of three and above to be eligible.

The full list of AA Covid Confident accredited establishments across the UK can be found at https://www.ratedtrips.com