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Lancashire has become the latest part of the UK to face stricter lockdown measures as coronavirus is worsening in many parts of the county. Local authorities in North West England are said to be expecting a Government announcement on Friday, September 18.

It comes following the introduction of restrictions in the North East on Thursday.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he couldn’t “rule out” a second national lockdown.

He said: “We want to avoid national lockdown altogether. That is the last line of defence.”

Asked if he was considering a new national lockdown, the Health Secretary said: “I have learned over the last nine months not ever to rule anything out.

“However, it is not the proposal that’s on the table.”

Mr Hancock added: “This is a big moment for the country.

“We are seeing an acceleration in the number of cases.

“And we are also seeing that the number of people hospitalised with coronavirus is doubling every eight days.

“We are now starting to see the effects in hospital.”

Which towns are at risk of new lockdown restrictions?

Preston, Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle already have restrictions in place.

Other areas that could face tougher measures include:

• Lancaster
• Wyre
• Fylde
• Chorley
• South Ribble
• Burnley
• Rossendale
• West Lancashire
• Rubble Valley
• Hyndburn
• Rossendale
• Parts of Blackpool

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A post on the Lancashire County Council Twitter account said: “We are expecting an announcement later today by Government on new measures to bring down the rate of COVID-19 infections in Lancashire.

“We are awaiting the full details and will let you know what it means for you and our county as soon as we can.”

Earlier this week in Warrington, public health leaders urged residents not to visit other households earlier this week.

Currently, nine of the 10 areas with the highest infection rates are in the North West.

Merseyside is also believed to have towns on the list of areas facing stricter coronavirus rules.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson told BBC Breakfast he would welcome action in Merseyside.

He said: “The measures the Government will be likely to impose on Liverpool today, similar to what they did with the North East yesterday, is unfortunate but welcome because what I am worried about is that, if we don’t tackle the measures now, then we will head towards the winter and Christmas period where we could be in a real difficult position, not just here but across the country.”

The new measures will take the total number of people across the UK in lockdown to more than 10 million.

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