THOUSANDS of people across Wiltshire stood outside their homes at 8pm last night to clap their hands to show their gratitude for the NHS staff working on the frontline in the fight against the coronavirus.

People opened their front doors to stand outside to clap, cheer, whoop and whistle in streets that for most of the day had been eerily quiet.

Amy Thompson, from Upper Wraxall, Wiltshire, said: “During this time of isolation it is one of the ways we can collectively show our gratitude and respect to all members of our NHS.

“Whilst we quarantine in the comfort of our homes they risk their lives to save others. It’s really important to us that they know we want to say thank you.”

The hastags #clapforourcarers and #thankyouNHS had been trending all day on social media to encourage people to stop what they were doing at 8pm and go outside to clap to show the country’s appreciation to NHS staff and carers.

In Trowbridge, resident Shane Powell lit up his home in Oatfield in blue inside and outside to thank the NHS.

He said: “I just wanted to thank them for the help they have done at this crucial time of the coronavirus.

“This is for all of the nurses, doctors and surgeons and for Wiltshire Police, ambulance staff and firefighters who are dealing with people with the coronavirus.

“The NHS helped my family when I lost my dad to cancer and I have family members who work for the NHS who are playing a crucial role on the frontline.”

Mr Powell, 33, works for the British Heart Foundation in Trowbridge, and a close friend, Kimberley Urbanski, works as a carer for Abicare Services Ltd in Bradford on Avon.

“I just want to get the message across for people to stay at home and stay safe because people in the NHS are working really hard for us.”

Streets across north and west Wiltshire supported the clap hands campaign, including people in Bradford on Avon, Chippenham, Calne, Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough, Melksham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury.