THE region's shoppers have been mixed following the announcement that face masks and face coverings will be mandatory in shops next week.

The Northern Echo has been speaking to shoppers in Bishop Auckland and Darlington on how they feel about the new rules.

At Bishop Auckland Retail Shopping Park in Tindale Crescent this afternoon some shoppers could be seen wearing face coverings.

Staff at retail units including Next and TK Maxx were also seen wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face masks.

Sheila Morrell, of St Helen Auckland, has chosen to wear a face mask whenever she goes to a shop since the start of the pandemic.

She said: "I just feel more comfortable and think making it compulsory should have happened earlier than this, it's a bit uncomfortable and sweaty but better safe than sorry."

Marilyn and Brian Tweddle, of Barnard Castle, feel if masks keep people safer they should be worn. They carry masks with them to wear in enclosed public spaces. 

"It could have been done sooner but it is what it is," said Mrs Tweddle. 

Sisters Megan and Margaret Jones, 24 and 15, from Hunwick, feel it is almost pointless to introduce masks at this postage of the pandemic.

Megan said: "I don't feel there is much point, we wore them at the start and they're really uncomfortable."

Margaret added "they're really difficult to wear with glasses too."

Sandra Wallace, from Toft Hill, said:" I have been wearing them from the start, I work in a pharmacy and think it would be nice if everyone does the same.

"Anything that helps at all, we should all do. I 100 percent thinking should have been compulsary straight away, we are now going to have the problem of some people wearing and some not wanting to.

"I can't tell people they have to wear them when I'm at work and have even had a woman say I had to take mine off because she didn't understand me.

"If was done early people would have got used to it and just done it."

  • We will be bringing you reaction from Darlington later today and a round-up of what The Echo's readers have said about face coverings online.