FAMILIES across south Essex are gearing up for what could be the “best Christmas in a long time” after council bosses revealed an end date for the current ‘high alert’ Covid restrictions in place across large parts of the county.

Providing the current measures are effective and show levels are reducing in Essex, the county council area could go back into the medium local Covid alert level by December 15 - just in time for festive celebrations to begin.

The goal - which currently applies to everywhere in the county except Southend and Thurrock - has sparked hope families will be able to mix households indoors on Christmas day, although the rule of six will still apply.

Urging everyone to stick to the current rules to keep infection rates down, Faye Axford fears many, like her mum Ann Curtis, will be left alone on Christmas day if restrictions aren’t eased.

The 38 year-old, from Benfleet, said: “I would do anything to be able to see the family at Christmas.

“It’s bad enough just limiting how many you can see with the rule of six, but to not see anyone at all from another household would be really sad.

“I lost my dad, Dave, three years ago from a stroke when he was 69 - mum found him in the middle of the night and he never woke up.

“You just never know what will happen or when you will spend your last Christmas together, so every one is so special to us all.

“There will be us four at home this year, but usually we have about 20. Of course we know it won’t happen this year, but if things stay the way they are my mum will be celebrating on her own and my husband Carl’s parents, Sheila and Paul, will be celebrating just them two.”

Faye’s son Callum, who is nine, has a rare combination of cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and neurofibromatosis type one, including optic tumours.

The loving mum added: “As a result of my son’s condition, it’s too cold having him outside.

“To even have the rule of six would be amazing, but we still want to make Christmas as exciting as possible no matter what. Please stay sensible.”

Grandmother Sheridan Sayer said if the high level restrictions remain, she will have to deliver her grandchildren’s presents by dropping them off on the doorstep.

The 64-year-old, from Canvey, said: “Usually I have my son and grandchildren over at Christmas. We sit down for a meal and then exchange presents, we love it.

“We don’t want it to be different and it is sad but I guess we have to accept that this year it could be. If it is we will have to just drop presents off at the door.”

Kimberley Connell, 45, from St Laurence, added: “Although we’re currently in tier one this still affects us, we have family who live out of Southend and have to live under these restrictions - we can’t mix with my mother and father-in-law and we have friends in Castle Point.

“I think this is quite ambitious, but if it does happen, emotionally it could be one of the best Christmas’ everyone has had for a long time. Financially will definitely be another story.

“I know a lot of families will be hoping this will happen.

"We are lucky to have so many of us in one house- a lot of people who may be living on their own don’t have that luxury, it is very sad.

“For many this is the only time they see their family.”