Public attendance at Maldon District Council meetings has returned, after residents protested the authority's decision to prevent them entering the chamber due to Covid last week.

The full council meeting last Tuesday (18 January) was disrupted as residents wishing to attend in person were prevented from accessing the council chamber on Princes Road by security staff.

Simon Quelch, monitoring officer at the council, told members the authority had made the decision "in relation to the safety of everybody - employees, members and the public - because of the present crisis with Covid".

Now, following the relaxation of Covid rules, the council's corporate leadership team has used emergency powers to bring back physical access to meetings in the chamber.

Richard Holmes, head of paid service at the council, said: "The council chamber has limited public space, some of which has been used for equipment to enable web streaming throughout the time restrictions have been in place and for future use.

"I can advise that we are able to accommodate six members of the public in the chamber and will provide an overflow room for viewing too.

"To secure your place for attendance please register at https://forms.office.com/r/ymDp8Wgnvu.

"Spaces will be allocated to members of the public who have registered first and then on a first come, first served basis.

"We invite all members of the public attending meetings to wear a face covering and complete a lateral flow test for the safety of themselves and others."

Meetings will continue to be livestreamed on YouTube for those not attending in person.

The decision will be in place until 25 February, and councillors will consider a full report on the issue at their next meeting on 24 February.