Wycombe MP Steve Baker writes exclusively to Bucks Free Press readers:

The last few days have been a time of change.

The clocks went forward last weekend, and on Monday there was a partial lifting of the coronavirus restrictions.

Schools break-up this week for the Easter holidays, and the weather has been lovely with a real feel of spring in the air.

There are now parts of Wycombe where there are no recorded cases of coronavirus, although there are still new cases being notified overall.

The vaccination programme continues to be a success. These are all reasons to be cheerful.

The last few months have not been easy for people, and I am extremely sorry the coronavirus has had such a deep impact on us all.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked through the lockdown to keep us all safe and well.

It goes without saying those who are employed by the NHS, complemented by the work of GPs, pharmacists and dentists, have received the greatest praise but there are many other people who have played an essential role too.

There are people in the council, our police and fire services, care workers, teachers, people working in shops, bus, train, delivery and taxi drivers and garage workers, staff in the housing, hotel and hostel sector, people who produce and serve food, postal workers, security staff, cleaners who have had a front line role in reducing the spread of the virus, to people who have maintained critical infrastructure such as banking, telecommunications and keeping electricity, gas, telephones, water and sewerage services running.

All this has been complemented with the efforts of volunteers and charity workers.

Without them all we could have not got through the last few months, and I wanted to thank each and every one of them.

I send my best wishes for Easter and other religious festivals being celebrated at this time.