Staff at Darent Valley Hospital burst into an "extremely moving" round of applause after falling silent in memory of frontline workers who have died in the pandemic.

People across the UK paused at 11am yesterdat in tribute to the sacrifice made by those in roles ranging from doctors and nurses to carers, cleaners, porters and bus drivers.

Spontaneous clapping broke out at Darent Valley, as NHS staff expressed their appreciation for the contribution of colleagues who have passed.

A spokesperson for the trust said: "At 11am today staff gathered in our foyer for a minute’s silence to pay their respect to the friends and colleagues that have lost their lives to Coronavirus.

"After the silence staff burst into a round of applause which was extremely moving."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has just returned to work this week after recovering from Covid-19, joined the countrywide commemoration, as did Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Loved ones of key workers who have died outbreak said the nationwide silence gave them a moment to reflect on their losses.

Samina Haider observed the silence with her mother and brother in Romford, east London, and described it as a "humbling tribute".

Her father, GP Syed Zishan Haider, had worked for more than three decades at Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group.

The 79-year-old died in hospital on April 6 after testing positive for coronavirus.

Ahead of the silence, Ms Haider told the PA news agency: "It's the first time, in a way, to be able to take stock of what's happened.

"It's a very humbling tribute and I think it's important to do and it feels like, actually, at this point in time, our own personal grief is a nation's grief as well, even though it's for multiple people."

But she highlighted issues with personal protective equipment (PPE) and a wider lack of funding for the NHS, adding: "We cannot lose sight of why we are having to do such a tribute in the first place.

"I'm so pleased that we are being able to acknowledge this minute's silence, but there's a bigger thing at stake here and we have to be able to question it and hold those accountable to why this has had to happen in the first place."