CREWE will join other Cheshire East towns in moving to the tier three, 'very high', level of coronavirus restrictions on Boxing Day, the health secretary has announced.

The increased restrictions mean that all hospitality businesses will be forced to close or be restricted to takeaway services only.

Matt Hancock made the announcement at a Downing Street briefing in which he expressed fears over the rapid spread of the new variant of the virus.

He said: "Just as we have got a tiered system in place, we have discovered a new more contagious virus, a variant which is spreading at a dangerous rate."

Other areas have been escalated to the highest level of restrictions in tier four, joining London and swathes of the south east.

The following rules apply in tier three

• households cannot mix indoors or outdoors in private gardens or hospitality venues.

• the 'Rule of Six' applies outdoors in public spaces.

• pubs and restaurants are closed except for takeaway and delivery.

• indoor entertainment venues are closed, only drive-in events allowed.

• residents are advised against travelling outside the area

• schools will remain open.

• weddings and Civil Ceremonies allow 15 guests, but receptions not allowed

• up to 30 people are allowed at funerals.

• outdoor sport can continue; indoor sport is only permissible with members of one household.

The new restrictions take effect from one minute past midnight in the early hours of Boxing Day.

As well as hitting the hospitality sector, which has been tentatively remerging after the second lockdown was lifted at the beginning of the month, spectator sport will be hit again.

Crewe Alex's Boxing Day visit from Fleetwood Town is now behind close doors.

Alex supporters were readmitted to the most recent home games against Northampton and Plymouth with provision for up to 2,000 fans to attend, but they will now have to revert back to watching live streams on the club's iFollow web site portal.

Games are free for season ticket holders, while non-season ticket holders pay £10.

Crewe's official web site stated: "This is of course extremely disappointing for everybody associated with the football club. We look forward to welcoming fans again as soon as government tier restrictions allow."

Cheshire East has been joined by Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington in tier three and the authorities' leaders issued a joint statement calling for more support for the hospitality industry.

"We are deeply disappointed to see the recent acceleration of rates of infection across Cheshire,and the impact on our local NHS," said the statement.

"Our communities and businesses have played their part in avoiding tier three restrictions up to this point and we want to pay tribute to them.

"While we agree that additional restrictions have become necessary, the government's decision to implement them at this time will have a devastating impact on our hospitality businesses and their employees.

"We therefore call on the government to provide additional support for those affected and the local resources we need to turn this situation around as quickly as possible."

Dr Matt Tyrer, Cheshire East director of public health, said: "We have seeing a worrying increase in infection rates across the borough and neighbouring areas - the new variant Covid virus is a real concern.

"It is clear that we need to take urgent action to slow the rate of infections to allow local testing and contact tracing and the vaccination programme to work – to slow and ultimately stop the virus.

"We know what will work – if we do not get close to other people, the virus can't spread. Hand, face space has never been more important."

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, added: "I'd like to thank everyone for their efforts to reduce infections and for the changes and sacrifices people and businesses have made.

"However, it is clear that we all need to do more to beat the virus and prevent our health and care services being overwhelmed."