Elite sport has been given the green light to return behind closed doors from Monday, the Government has confirmed.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says the Government wants to "re-establish some normality in other parts of our lives" as he announced the return of live sport.

Speaking at the Downing Street daily briefing, Dowden said: "For more than two months after sport stopped and after weeks of round-the-clock discussions with medical experts and professional sports bodies, I'm delighted to announce today that the Government has published guidance which allows competitive sport to resume behind closed doors from Monday at the earliest.

"Football, tennis, horse racing, Formula One, cricket, golf, rugby, snooker and others are all set to return to our screens shortly."

The Hertsmere MP said various measures needed to be in place for sporting events to go ahead safely due to the continued coronavirous pandemic.

He told the daily briefing: "That includes a screening process for coronavirus symptoms at the venue, a one-way system for people and vehicles, minimising the use of dressing rooms and of course maintaining social distancing wherever that is possible."

He also set "two challenges" for the return of football, which has a "special place in our national life".

He said: "First, that a reasonable number of remaining Premier League games will be broadcast free-to-air.

"Second, that the financial benefits of returning will be shared throughout the entire football family.

"I'm glad to confirm today that a third of matches to finish the season will now be free to view including the Liverpool v Everton derby and live Premier League football will be on the BBC for the first time in its history."

Dowden continued: "I can now make it official: football is coming back."

He said the Government is also focusing on getting grassroots sports and women's teams "back up and running".

"Visibility matters, and our daughters deserve to see female athletes on the main stage," he said.