Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has urged the district's residents to stay at home and comply with restrictions following the introduction of the latest lockdown.

The council has said that every individual action counts and that residents need to do what they can to help stop the spread of the virus.

Under the rules of the lockdown, people have been told not to leave their homes except for work if they cannot work from home; shopping for basic necessities; exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person once a day; or to attend education for those eligible.

The rules also state that exercise should be taken locally and within the town or village where you live.

Council Leader, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: "This third period of national lockdown comes at the start of a new year when so many were hoping for better days - and the vaccine rollout and mass testing do offer real hope that those days are on the way.

"But we have all seen the sharp increases in the number of people testing positive and those being treated in hospitals - it's clear that the virus remains rife so it's up to all of us to do what we can to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe.

"We've done this before and we'll come through it again but, for now, we must all play our part by staying at home as much possible, washing our hands, wearing a face covering and keeping our distance from others. These really are the best ways we have of stopping the spread and allowing the vaccine rollout to start to make a difference.

"We know lockdown is hard but we'll continue to work with our partners to support residents and businesses during this period. Your actions really do count so please help us by following the rules and staying safe."