BREAKING: Rugby looks likely to stay in Tier 3 following health secretary's address this morning

Rugby looks likely to be kept under the strictest coronavirus restrictions until the new year following a Parliamentary address from health Secretary Matt Hancock.

The move to place Rugby under Tier 3 restrictions from December 2 sparked outrage among residents, business owners and Rugby MP Mark Pawsey.

Already-struggling hospitality businesses in the town were devastated by the news they would be forced to say shut - with one business owner telling the Advertiser it felt like being 'shot in the gut'.

Warwickshire had been merged with Coventry and Solihull for Tier considerations, and many believed this was why Warwickshire was placed under such harsh restrictions.

Residents looked towards December 16 for a Government review of the Tier placings and, with Rugby's coronavirus figures decreasing - many were hopeful that the town would be moved down to Tier 2.

But recently the town's figures have been on the rise, a pattern followed across much of Warwickshire - although the county has remained under the national average for cases.

And in Mr Hancock's address to Parliament this morning, only Bristol and Herefordshire were mentioned as areas which would be reduced to a lower Tier.

This means it is highly likely that Warwickshire will be kept in Tier 3 until the new year.

More information when we get it.