Residents in Penwortham, Bamber Bridge and Leyland given stark warning following rise in Covid-19 infection rate

South Ribble Council said there have been 21 cases in the last 14 days, spread across different wards 'in low numbers.'

The warning comes less than a week after Preston became an 'area of intervention' with additional measures being put in place restricting residents due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

While South Ribble residents are not covered by these mandatory restrictions, council bosses have made an urgent plea for them to follow government guidance to help keep infections down, which includes:

-Wash or sanitise hands your regularly

- Keep your distance of others from outside of your household

- Wear face coverings where applicable

- Stay at home if you’re unwell

- Arrange a test immediately if symptoms are being displayed.

Coun Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Council, said: "This is a direct plea to all across South Ribble to do what they can to help reduce the spread of the virus.

"We’ve seen what’s happening with a number of our neighbours in Lancashire and in order to ensure we do not have to introduce any further lockdown measures; we need to get the rates down.

"Let’s not get complacent. The virus is still here, and we all need to act now. It’s more important than ever to follow Government advice and guidance."

The council says it will be ramping up their work with local businesses to ensure that all sectors across the borough are covid-secure.

Much of the council’s Environmental Health Team and others across the council are now dedicated to conducting community outreach, offering support, guidance to our businesses and auditing premises to ensure covid compliance.

Coun Mick Titherington, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure, said: "As a council, we’re doing all we can to offer support across our community to make sure that people can be safe.

"Our local businesses still need our support and we’re working with them closely to make sure they are covid-secure. If you’re out and about in our town and village centres, please follow the advice given.

"We need each and every single person in South Ribble to follow the guidance and reduce the spread.

"The last thing we want to see is for South Ribble to have to fall under any additional measures to tackle the virus."

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health for Lancashire, said: "Covid affects all communities so it’s really important to stay aware of the risks and follow the official guidance on how to stay safe.

"This will reduce a need for additional measures and help things to return to normal more quickly."