This afternoon the Health Secretary announced the new Tier system after cases were reviewed post lockdown.

Three areas in Hampshire have now been moved to the highest Tier 3 and face tough restrictions from Saturday, December 19.

Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant will now be classed as very high alert areas and all hospitality venues will be forced to shut once more.

Hancock says that in the UK, and across the world, coronavirus cases are rising once more.

"No one wants tougher restrictions any longer than neccesary," he says, adding that where they are neccessary they will be put in place to help ease pressure on the National Health Service.

He says cases are up 46% in the past week in the south-east of England and up by two-thirds in the east of England.

He confirms that from 00:01 Saturday 19 December - the following areas will be placed into tier three:

Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Berkshire

Peterborough

The whole of Hertfordshire

Surrey, except Waverley

Hastings and Rother

Two areas are now able to move down a tier as a result of falling infection rates.

He confirms that from 00:01 Saturday 19 December Bristol and North Somerset will move into tier two.

Meanwhile, Herefordshire will move from tier two to tier one.

The rest of the Tiers are said to remain unchanged meaning Hampshire, excluding Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth, will stay under Tier 2 restrictions.