With Covid restrictions coming to an end yesterday, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council leader Sybil Ralphs has said residents must "maintain freedoms while managing the risks".

With the final stage on the roadmap to unlocking going ahead as planned, the Moorlands leader says the emphasis is now moving to personal responsibility to keep ourselves and each other safe.

Cllr Ralphs said: "The lifting of restrictions is something many of us have been waiting for and will welcome as we learn to live with Covid.

"However, we've all seen the sharp rise in the number of people being infected as a result of the more transmissible Delta variant - and just recently we've had an outbreak in Leek. So, even as restrictions ease, I must urge caution.

"The care we've all taken since the start of the pandemic, together with the vaccination programme, has brought us to this point and it's this care and concern for others that will help us to manage how we maintain our freedoms whilst managing the risks.

"So, please do enjoy the return to a normal way of life but with safety and the welfare of our families, friends and everyone in our communities in mind. Let's all keep doing what we can to help curb transmission - it benefits us all."

She added that regular testing and taking up the vaccine when offered are some of things everyone can do to help protect ourselves and others.