The operators of a popular Oakham pub have hit back at claims some of its staff have come down with Covid-19.

JD Wetherspoons have issued a statement to quell 'incorrect' allegations that have been circulating on social media concerning the Captain Noel Newton.

Nub News also received a message several days ago making similar claims of staff at the pub at 56 High Street.

Spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We have been made aware of incorrect reports of employees testing positive for Covid-19 at the Captain Noel Newton in Oakham.

"We can confirm that we have four members of staff currently self-isolating but no members of staff have tested positive for the virus.

"Two employees are isolating due to their family members showing Covid-19 symptoms. One employee is isolating after having been in close contact with a friend who has tested positive for the virus. Another employee has also chosen to isolate, but is not showing symptoms.

The statement also said: "We have also not had any contact from Public Health England or Test and Trace to advise us of any confirmed cases of Covid-19 amongst our staff or customers.

"Since reopening, Wetherspoon has operated comprehensive social distancing and hygiene practices in all its pubs. These include; reduced capacity levels, the spacing out of tables, the installation of a number of floor screens between tables and the addition of till-surround screens to the bar. Staff are conducting regular surface cleaning and numerous hand sanitisers have been installed in each pub.

"While it is not possible to create an entirely risk-free environment, adherence to social distancing guidelines and rigorous implementation of hygiene standards minimises the risk."

Mr Gershon told Nub News that no staff at the Wetherspoons pubs in Grantham or Stamford have contracted the virus either.

However, national media today reported Wetherspoons as confirming 66 workers at 50 pubs nationally have tested positive- with up to four employees affected at two of its outlets.

Some 40 pubs have reported one worker testing positive for the coronavirus, while six pubs have confirmed two.

And 28 of the 66 employees who tested positive are already back at work after self-isolating.

Wetherspoons, which employs more than 41,000 people, added the vast majority of its 861 pubs had recorded no positive cases.