Biddulph and the rest of Staffordshire will remain in Tier 3 and avoid the tough new Tier 4 restrictions being imposed on other areas of the country on Boxing Day.

It comes following this afternoon's announcement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock on the latest review of Coronavirus tiers around the country.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are to remain in their current Tier 3 restrictions, but millions more Brits in other areas of the country are to move into Tier 4.

Neighbouring Cheshire is also to be moved up from its current Tier 2 restrictions into Tier 3.

Case rates for Staffordshire are currently sitting at around 232 cases per 100,000 population - this is higher than the West Midlands average of around 220 cases but lower than the England average of around 319 cases.

Here are all the areas around the country that will have their Tier level changed from Boxing day, according to today's announcement:

Moving into Tier 4 are:

- Sussex

- Oxfordshire

- Suffolk

- Norfolk

- Cambridgeshire

- The parts of Essex that were not yet in Tier 4

- Waverley in Surrey

- Hampshire including Portsmouth and Southampton but with the exception of the New Forest

Moving into Tier 3 are:

- Cheshire and Warrington

- Northamptonshire

- The New Forest

- The Isle of Wight,

- Bristol

- Gloucestershire

- Somerset

- Swindon

And moving into Tier 2 are:

- Cornwall

- Herefordshire

A reminder of the rules for Tier 3:

• Households will not be allowed to mix indoors or outdoors in private gardens or hospitality venues.

• The 'Rule of Six' will apply outdoors in public spaces.

• Pubs and restaurants will be closed except for takeaway and delivery.

• Indoor entertainment venues will be closed, only drive-in events allowed.

• Guidance against travelling outside the area

• Schools will remain open.

• Weddings and Civil Ceremonies allowed 15 guests, but receptions not allowed

• Up to 30 people allowed at funerals.

• Outdoor sport can recommence; indoor sport is only permissible with members of one household

Tier 4 restrictions, the most severe level currently available, would have seen people only able to leave home if they have a "reasonable excuse", such as work or education, exercise or childcare.

Travelling into and out of Tier 4 areas is also banned.