Many local high school pupils will now not return to school on January 4th, as the spring term is delayed by up to two weeks to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

In the areas with the highest infection rates, primary schools will also remain closed, but this does not apply to schools in Frodsham and Helsby.

Speaking in the Commons this afternoon, Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said that all high school pupils in exam years will return in the week beginning January 11th, while other years will come back on January 18th.

On January 4th, schools will only reopen to vulnerable children and children of key workers, while other pupils will begin this term's lessons online.

The government plans to use the delay in order to implement mass testing for school students across England.

"Because the Covid infection rate is particularly high among this age group, we are going to allow more time so that every school and college is able to roll out testing for its pupils and staff," said Mr Williamson.

"This kind of mass testing will help protect not just children and young people, but benefit everyone in the community.

"It will break those chains of transmission that are making infection rates shoot up."