Shop only for what you need and stick together. This is the message from Basingstoke council leader as the prime minister has announced new lockdown measures. 

Cllr Ken Rhatigan, leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, has spoken following the news that England will enter a national lockdown from Thursday. 

Speaking to The Gazette, Cllr Rhatigan urged residents not to stockpile items and said it was important that community stuck together.

He said: "Today’s announcement is a deeply worrying development for the nation and for our Borough.

"Just as we were finding paths to run our lives under the new restrictions, and residents were getting used to face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizers the numbers of infections have continued to rise and Our NHS  is once again under great strain.

He continued: "I urge residents to remain compliant to the new rules and do what they can to reduce the spread of virus to protect themselves, their families, and the wider community."

Cllr Rhatigan spoke of his concerns for the Basingstoke business community, saying: "It will be particularly difficult for our hospitality industry, and so many of our small businesses who have risen to the challenge of adapting to new ways of working.

"Our residents need to remember that we have to stick together,  help your neighbours, watch out for families, while only shopping for what you need thus avoiding shortages in our supermarkets,

"We as your Borough Council will look at what more we can do to support our most vulnerable.

"I promise we will make every effort to give help and provide guidance when our residents feel there is no one else to turn to as we will continue to be a trusted source of information."