A PUB landlord in Ledbury has voiced scepticism at the government's suggestion vaccine passports could be a requirement for visiting pubs when they reopen.

And another has said the uncertainty whether it will become law it just adding to their frustrations ahead of reopening.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently said pub goers could be required to provide a passport certificate to enter, although that decision "may be up to individual publicans". A review is currently looking into whether people will need proof of vaccination.

Chris Howell, manager of The Oak at Staplow, said if it was left as a choice it would not be something they would implement, particularly as he knew many of their regulars had had the Covid vaccine.

"In the long run for it to work, you would have to have had everyone vaccinated first, for it to be fair," he said.

"But then there are pregnant women, and others, who can't be vaccinated, so it still wouldn't be fair.

"Our general feeling is (if individual publicans choice) we wouldn't do it.

"If it is the law it is different. We would do it as we want this lockdown to be the last one, as I don't think the trade could stand another one.

"The thing for us, we have never had one problem at all (with Covid), in all the time that we were allowed to be open.

"We were full at times. We were the first to wear masks, and I think it had a lot to do with our safety procedures, as we were stricter than most.

"But we fear another lockdown, more than vaccine passports."

Landlady of the Farmers Arms, Hannah Joplin, said it had all just added to the uncertainty of what they needed to do to reopen.

"It is frustrating, after the first lockdown we have an information pack.

"Now we have gathered what we are doing through the news here and there. As far as I can see there is no curfew, rule of six and obviously everything outside - but you are left to feel a little bit in the waters, and have to just get on with it.

"Vaccine passports are just an idea at the moment. But the issue being with them, for me I'm 35, no underlying health issues so it will be a while before I have a vaccine. So if they do the passports it would be hypocritical that I would be the one asking to check this passports.

"Hospitality is one of the biggest employers of 18 to 25-year-olds, so a lot potentially would have not had the vaccine.

"There has been a lot of responsibility on public houses policing this stuff, when we have been able to open in the past year."

If the government does decide to bring it into law it appearing they will now have a battle getting into through parliament, after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer suggested needing one to go to the pub would be un-British and could face public opposition if death rates are near zero and hospital admissions are very low.

Backbench tories have also voiced their opposition to the plans.