A BOROUGH leader has warned that even tier three restrictions may not be enough to stop coronavirus spreading.

Cllr Mark Townsend told a meeting of Burnley Full Council that more may be needed if residents do not improve their compliance with the rules.

Earlier this month the whole of Lancashire was placed into the tier three 'Very High Local Covid Alert Level' with tight restrictions on household mixing indoors and outdoors and the closure pubs and bars not serving substantial meals.

He said: "Burnley was on of the first places to go above 300 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents.

"It is sad to see it is now more than 450 per 100,000.

"I am worried that even tier three may not be enough.

"I thank the many people who are obeying the rules but it is regrettable that there are still far too many not in compliance.

"They need to buckle down or we are going to lose more lives and livelihoods.

"I recently went into a shop in Briercliffe Road and there were eight people in a small shop and a tight space.

"I was the only one wearing a mask.

"This is not good enough, If we go on like this pubs and bars will not be reopening soon.

"The infection rate is already putting pressure on our hospitals,."

Cllr Townsend praised Lancashire's council leaders for securing a good deal for the county on government support for the county.

He said: "I am pleased to report we secured a deal for both Burnley and Lancashire, which included a financial package of an additional £30 million that will be used to mitigate some of the impact on hard-pressed businesses and employees."