With the government's move to a new three-tiered alert level system this week, political tension across the north has escalated as more boroughs move up the restrictions ladder.

At first, the Liverpool City Region was the only area placed as a tier 3 — also known as 'very high alert level' — meaning household mixing is banned indoors and outside in hospitality venues, pubs which do not serve food are under forced closure, and guidance is in place advising against travel to and from the region.

On Friday (October 16), Lancashire also joined the Merseyside area in tier 3 — but this three-day gap was punctuated on an almighty stand-off between Andy Burnham and Downing Street.

Greater Manchester's reticence to accept hospitality closures ultimately comes down to an issue of support, with Andy Burnham using a press conference on Thursday afternoon to say: "Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region and Lancashire are being set up as the canaries in the coal mine for an experimental regional lockdown strategy as an attempt to prevent the expense of what is truly needed.

"This is an important moment. Greater Manchester will stand firm. We are fighting back for fairness and for the health of our people in the broadest sense."

What does this mean for Cheshire West?

Like their Mancunian counterparts, Cheshire West and Chester leaders are desperate to avoid tier 3 restrictions, with council leader Cllr Louise Gittins calling any move to the level 'devastating'.

Cllr Gittins also added she had 'not heard anything' yet on the borough being moved into tier 3.

The Labour leader told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I have not heard anything but I do not know if the other [North West leaders] have. We probably will have a call with about 10 minutes notice.

She also said that Cheshire West and Cheshire were only told about tier 2 restrictions 20 minutes before they were announced.

"I just think tier 3 is dreadful. We asked for evidence with the Liverpool City Region's inclusion, but no-one has ever seen any."

Cheshire West and Chester has previously asked for more restrictions from the Department for Health, and has also proposed a £45 million package to support the region's economy, along with Cheshire East and Warrington Borough councils.

The LDRS understands that the proposal, which was sent at the start of October, is yet to be responded to by ministers.