Lancashire joins Southport in major pub lockdown

Bars and pubs across neighbouring Lancashire will close after local leaders agreed the county should move into Tier 3 of England’s lockdown system.

It means towns such as Blackpool, Blackburn and Fleetwood join the Liverpool City Region in the highest level of coronavirus restrictions.

A formal announcement is expected later today.

Under Tier 3, people are banned from socialising with other households both indoors and in private gardens, while bars and pubs are closed unless they can operate as restaurants only.

Talks between Westminster and local leaders in Lancashire about financial support ran into the evening on Thursday, after speculation the county may be locked down.