Here's what we know so far about Blackpool's tightened coronavirus restrictions

Blackpool will join the Lancashire-wide lockdown tomorrow (Friday, September 25) after crunch talks between the county's top health and council chiefs.

It brings Blackpool into line with those areas covered by Lancashire County Council and Blackburn-with-Darwen where similar action was taken earlier this week.

To help clarify what has changed and how it might affect your family, work and personal life, we have summarised what we know so far about the lockdown restrictions, that are expected to be announced imminently, to help answer some of your most pressing questions.

Is Blackpool in lockdown?

Not yet - although an official announcement is expected this evening (September 25).

When will the lockdown start?

Officials expect the rules to come into force from midnight today (Friday, September 25), but we're still waiting for confirmation from the government.

What will the rules be?

Blackpool Council said restrictions in the resort will be brought in line with the rest of Lancashire.

The move forms part of "a more strategic approach by Government to tackling high rates of infection across whole regions."

The rules expected to be announced are:

- You must not socialise with people outside of your household or support bubble in private homes or gardens.

- Only use public transport for essential journeys – such as travelling to school or work, or medical appointments.

- Face covering must be worn on public transport unless you are exempt.

- Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators.

- A maximum of six people can take part in indoor team sports.

- Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be limited to table service only and a 10pm to 5am curfew will also be in force.

- Residents urged to only visit indoor locations such as restaurants and pubs with other members of their household or support bubble.

- Only 15 people can attend a wedding service and reception from Monday, September 28 - 30 people can still attend a funeral.

- People should work from home where possible.

Why wasn't Blackpool included in the changes last week?

Blackpool Council says that it was not consulted by the Government about it being excluded from last week's Lancs-wide restrictions, because it says the area was not being considered by national decision-makers for any such measures at that time.

The council has also dismissed speculation that its exclusion was due to fears that extra restrictions would harm the resort's tourism industry.

Dr Arif Rajpura, Director of Public Health for Blackpool Council, said the decision to bring Blackpool into line with the rest of Lancashire had been taken after close consultation with the Department of Health and Social Care.

He said: "This time last week Blackpool was exempt from additional restrictions because our transmission rates were relatively low compared to other areas. Over the past few days, there has been a significant rise in infection rates across the UK and Blackpool has not been immune to that.

"In our case that has seen infection rates go from a rolling average of less than 40 last week to more than 60 this week.

"Analysis of those figures shows that a lot of our transmission has been in households in the residential areas of Blackpool. While the number of cases in hospital remains relatively low, it is appropriate that a restriction on household mixing should now be introduced to reverse the upward trend of positive cases."

What is driving the infection rates?

Officials say Blackpool's increasing infection rate is not being driven by tourism, but rather through suburban household transmission.

Neil Jack, Chief Executive of Blackpool Council, said: "While there is no evidence of any direct links between increased infection rates and tourism, we will continue to put a high level of focus on ensuring that visitors and tourism businesses do the right thing in terms of adhering to regulations relating to hygiene, social distancing, wearing of face coverings, the 10pm curfew on bars and restaurants, and the Rule of Six."

Mr Jack added that as part of its efforts to both support and challenge local businesses, the Council had decided to recruit its own Covid-Secure team of marshals whose role is to patrol and monitor the tourism and hospitality trade to ensure that all rules are being followed.

They will also help to control any pinch-points, particularly on the promenade, where there is any evidence that social distancing is not being maintained.