Further backing of the delay to the easing of lockdown restrictions has come from Rutland Council leader Oliver Hemsley.

Asked what he or the council thought of the delay to 'Freedom Day,' Coun Hemsley supported the move by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He told Nub News: "The rollback of national restrictions has been paused due to the serious threat of the new COVID variant.

"We need to make sure the maximum number of people have received the maximum level of protection against the virus.

"This includes many thousands of people who are still to receive the all-important second vaccination, plus younger adults for whom the first vaccine dose is only just being made available."

Coun Hemsley continued: "Although this feels like a backwards step, I know the majority of people agree that taking this extra precaution is the right thing to do.

"The alternative would be to open up further and risk an even greater rise in infections, hospital admissions and deaths."

He added: "I urge everyone in the strongest possible terms to stay safe, be patient and keep following the rules that have helped us wrestle the virus back under control in Rutland."

Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns also backed the Prime Minister's announcement, made on Monday evening, which said 'Freedom Day' would be delayed four weeks until July 19, as previously reported by Nub News.