During the seven-day period from December 11 to 17 December there were 299 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Shropshire.

This was an increase of 6 cases compared to the previous week and represents an infection rate of 92.5 cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 of the population.

Of these, 86 cases relate to people under the age of 30 while 39 cases relate to people aged over 70 and 43 per cent of cases were in north Shropshire.

Shropshire Council are asking residents not to travel to Tier 4 areas and Wales for the festive break.

A spokesman for Shropshire Council said: "If you are currently in a Tier 4 area or Wales and were planning on returning to Shropshire for Christmas, please stay at home and protect your loved ones.

"We are asking anyone who has travelled to the region from any Tier 4 areas or Wales, to self-isolate for at least ten days when they arrive.

"This means remaining inside the house where you're staying for the whole ten days.

"Other people who live in the house do not need to self-isolate unless anyone gets symptoms, but no visitors should be allowed in that house at all, even on Christmas Day.

"Rapid testing is available for people who have travelled from a Tier 4 area or Wales.

"Please note this testing is only available if you do not have any Covid-19 symptoms.

"You will still need to self-isolate, regardless of the result of this test."

Rapid tests can be booked using the following link – http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting/