Local Covid restrictions to remain in place in Preston - at least for the next few days

But they could be scaled down "in the next few days" if the city's infection rate continues to fall, Lancashire's director of public health Dr Sakthi Karunanithi announced today.

The Government has decided that Burnley and Hyndburn will be to come out of lockdown on Wednesday after an improvement in their coronavirus figures.

But Preston, parts of Blackburn with Darwen and parts of Pendle will stay as "areas of intervention" for the time being as the fight to contain the virus continues.

Dr Sakthi thanked the people of Lancashire for their "hard work and sacrifice" during the local lockdowns. But he said the county had to stay focused to sustain the downward trend, particularly over the next two weeks with schools returning.

"Overall this is really positive news in terms of the general direction of travel," he told a media conference this afternoon.

"It is not over yet. We are not out of the woods yet. We need to maintain our efforts to prevent further escalations.

"In Preston and Pendle there are good signs of progress. If that continues we can expect that the restrictions in those areas will be lifted.

"We have been very proactive in Preston. And the people of Preston have really got together to kick this virus down the line.

"If this rate continues in Preston we should see a similar approach (to Burnley and Hyndburn) taken by the Government in terms of lifting it out of an area of intervention.

"Fundamentally it's still about avoiding mixing between members of different households, especially with Preston being a university city. It is also a hub for Lancashire in terms of transport and so on. So we must be extra vigilant.

"It's fantastic news for Preston. I am pleased with the progress being made and I think if this continues we should see Preston (de-escalated) from where we are now in the next few days."

Lancashire's Resilience Forum announced the changes at lunchtime. Gary Hall, deputy chair of the Forum, which is leading the county's response to the coronavirus pandemic, said: "In most parts of Lancashire things are heading in the right direction, and I would like to thank everyone for playing their part. I understand how difficult it has been and appreciate the sacrifice people have made.

"If we continue on this path I am hopeful that all parts of Lancashire will have the remaining restrictions lifted soon, but this depends on people following the rules wherever they live in the county, and continuing to practice social distancing, washing hands regularly, wearing a face covering when they should and following the guidance given to them if contacted by NHS Test and Trace."

Under local lockdown restrictions residents are not allowed to host people in their homes or gardens who are not in their household or bubble. They must not visit people in their homes, even if they live outside the lockdown area.