WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols hopes that the town will be placed into tier two restrictions once the latest coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

The current Covid-19 measures will end on December 2, with a strengthened version of the previous tiers system then being reintroduced.

It is expected that areas of England will learn on Thursday which tier they will be allocated upon leaving lockdown next week.

And while Ms Nichols is ‘unconvinced’ of the effectiveness of the system, the Labour MP says that any decisions on Warrington’s grading should be based on the level of transmissions in the town.

She told the Warrington Guardian: “I hope that Warrington will go into tier two, but of course we need to look at the latest evidence on Covid-19 infections locally.

“The tier system did not work in the autumn, and I remain unconvinced that it will do so now.

“If any guidance is imposed on Warrington, we need the government to publish all the scientific basis for them and to set clear criteria to exit restrictions.

“People in Warrington have been doing an amazing job in following the rules, bringing the infection rate significantly down locally.

“I also want to pay tribute to the fantastic work of all those helping others in our community through this incredibly difficult time.”

Ms Nichols also quizzed the Prime Minister in Parliament on Monday over the support that pubs would receive after being ‘battered’ by restrictions.

She asked: “Having been absolutely battered by these restrictions, is it not time for a sector deal for pubs – which are the heart of our communities – and their supply chain?”

Boris Johnson replied: “It's appalling that pubs or any businesses have had to face the restrictions that they have.

“Nobody has wanted to do it, the reason for the delay that she talks about until Thursday is we just need to look at the data and make sure that we're getting it right about which tiers the various regions, areas should be going into.

“Of course she's right that we've got to have plans for the whole of our economy to bounce back, and indeed we do, and she'll be hearing from the chancellor on Wednesday about that.

“But pubs and other businesses forced to close, don't forget, remain entitled to furlough until March.”