The leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has reiterated the need to stay at home and work hard locally to get the infection rates down as low as possible following the Government's four-step plan to ease lockdown in England.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "I'd first like to applaud the hard work of our communities in supporting each other and sticking to the rules throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.

"The pandemic and lockdown have been a real challenge for all of us across west Cheshire. To make sure that the easing of restrictions is for the long-term, we will need to be cautious, carry on following the restrictions, stay at home wherever possible and do what we can to get the infection rates as low as we can to emerge out of lockdown.

"It's as important as ever to remember to keep washing your hands regularly, cover your face when in an enclosed space and keeping social distancing to stop the spread of Covid-19.

"We'll support the incredible rollout of the vaccination programme in the borough, and work with our schools and businesses to support them to reopen."

The new, national four-stage approach means that from 8 March, pupils will return to face-to-face education in schools and further education. Wraparound childcare, such as after-school clubs, can reopen to enable parents to work, attend education, access medical care or attend a support group.

From 29 March, outdoor sport and leisure facilities can reopen and organised outdoor sport will be allowed.

Further relaxing of restrictions will be allowed in five-week steps, from 12 April and 17 May, provided certain tests are being met following a review of the latest data.

For more information on the four-step plan, visit the GOV.UK website.