Cumbria's director of public health has said that Carlisle avoided tougher restrictions by the "skin of its teeth."

Cumbria has now discovered that the whole of the county will be placed under Tier 2 restrictions one we come out of lockdown next week.

Colin Cox has welcomed the news that Cumbria, as a whole, will be placed into Tier 2 and said this is best suited for the county but "Carlisle avoided Tier 3 by the skin of its teeth."

He said: "It's very much what I was expected.

"Particularly because of what the rates in Cumbria have been. In most of the county things are going well and the rate has been falling for a fortnight.

"Carlisle is one area where it is important that people are conscious and take things seriously because it is still the highest area in Cumbria.

"I think Carlisle has probably avoided Tier 3 by the skin of its teeth this time round."