Town leaders have welcomed the delay to the ease in Covid restrictions after a spike in coronavirus cases in North Somerset.

North Somerset has seen the highest number of coronavirus cases recorded in the district for three months, and council leaders are urging people to follow Covid guidelines.

Freedom Day, where all legal limits on social contact were due to be removed on June 21, has been put back until July 19 - although a review will take place in two weeks.

Hospitality venues can only allow groups of up to six people or two households inside. Live entertainment venues, such as cinemas and theatres, will be at 50 per cent capacity and nightclubs will remain closed.

North Somerset Council is calling for more support for businesses who will be affected by the delay.

The authority's deputy leader Cllr Mike Bell said: “We are now seeing our highest figures of Covid-19 cases for three months, so now is not the time to stop doing the essential things, like social distancing and wearing face coverings that we know make a real difference to case numbers.

“For businesses still struggling under the impact of restrictions, we want to see more support coming from the Government. But, you can still contact our team to make sure you are getting everything you are already entitled to."