CLAP for Carers returns this evening, Thursday, but Warrington residents are broadly not in favour of it, a poll suggests.

The initiative began in March last year – at the time of the first lockdown – when people would clap on their doorsteps each week in a public display of recognition and support for the NHS and frontline healthcare workers who were going above and beyond to treat victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

Annemarie Plas, the woman behind it, has planned for the nationwide gesture to return at 8pm tonight.

Although rather than just focusing on carers the message will be widened to 'Clap for Heroes' to acknowledge everyone who has played their part through the pandemic, not just health workers.

But there has been such an outcry that Annemarie has opted to distance herself from the movement after 'abuse and threats' were aimed at her and her family.

The move has had a mainly negative reaction on social media with some suggesting they would rather see frontline workers recognised by the government in other ways, such as a pay rise.

So we put it to the vote with Warrington Guardian readers.

At the time of writing, 76 per cent of participants said they were not in favour of it with 16 per cent glad to see its return and seven per cent unsure.

Warrington residents also had plenty to say when the story was shared on our Facebook page.

Many suggested a much greater gesture to support the NHS would be working harder at strictly following the lockdown rules. Others said Clap for Carers had lost its meaning and impact while some criticised the government's overall handling of the crisis.

Lisa Geraghty, a healthcare assistant at Gainsborough House, said: "As a healthcare worker, the recognition is nice but if I'm honest I'd rather see people abiding by the rules and listening to what we have to do to keep everybody safe. The sooner that happens the more the future will look a little brighter."

Sacha Rangasamy said: "After asking them, all the brave people that I know who are key workers and have bravely put their lives on the line don't appreciate this empty gesture and have asked me not to clap."

Graham Gowland added: "Carers and the NHS deserve applause, but more than that, they deserve a properly funded organisation with appropriate pay and conditions. Nobody delivered that by putting this government in charge."

But one reader gave people a stark reminder of what the original purpose of Clap for Carers was all about.

Valerie Latham said: "The NHS are working so hard. My hubby George is in ICU in a induced coma on a ventilator. These nurses are trying to save his life they all deserve the Florence Nightingale Medal. I'm also positive for Covid-19 and in isolation.

"Please follow the Covid-19 rules and stay at home and wear a mask."