Covid: Berkshire moved to tier three restrictions from Saturday

The whole of Berkshire will be subject to tier three Covid restrictions from Saturday, the government has announced.

Slough was previously the only part of the county affected by the strictest conditions, which require restaurants, bars and entertainment venues to close.

However, rising infection rates will mean the rest of Berkshire going into tier three from 00:01 GMT on Saturday.

Businesses that will be forced to close by the tier change told the BBC it was "a kick in the teeth".

Thomas Mullen, manager of the Volunteer pub in Theale, said: "We've abided by everything and I'm pretty sure most of the hospitality sector has as well.

"It's gutting - and I'm pretty sure it's gutting for a lot of people because this is their livelihood and they've got to shut down again instead of getting on with things."

In Windsor, people who have booked tickets for Legoland have been using Facebook and Twitter to inquire if their bookings would still be valid.

Legoland has so far replied by asking customers to "please bear with us as we finalise what the latest tier news means for the resort".

Reading council said the move would cause "further hardship and anxiety".

Jason Brock, the leader of Labour-controlled Reading Borough Council, said the announcement was "not necessarily unexpected" but the government had given the authority "no prior warning".

"The size of the pandemic in Reading is increasing by between 33% and 50% every week and now of everyone who goes for a test, 6.1% get a positive result, whereas in August this was just 1%," he said.

Andrew Johnson, a Conservative who is leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, said he was was "disappointed" by the move.

"It's not what we wanted but government considers the rates in our neighbouring authorities in its analysis," he added.

"I am particularly concerned about the damage tier three will do to local businesses across the Royal Borough and we will continue to do all we can to support them, as a council, but we also hope you'll help by using them - albeit safely."

Bracknell Forest Council said the rate of infection in its area per 100,000 people had risen from 87.3 to 222 in the past two weeks.

Council leader Paul Bettison said the increase was "disappointing and concerning" and that rule-breakers had been "putting themselves and their loved ones at risk".

"We know the rise has occurred somewhat due to outbreaks within schools and care homes but sadly our local rate has also risen due to transmission both within and between households," he added.

"I know that [the move to tier three] will be frustrating for many of our residents and we understand that frustration."