AN Ellesmere Port pub has temporarily closed its doors because it is unable to operate under Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions.

The Old Wirral Hundred pub, which had reduced the number of days it was trading, made the decision to shut last night (December 22)

A message on its Facebook page said that due to being a "wet-led pub" it could not operate under the Government's existing coronavirus measures.

Tier 2 restrictions mean hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals and due to the ban on mixing indoors only one household can eat and drink together.

The Facebook post by the managers of the Old Wirral Hundred states: "It is with sadness that we inform you that as of tonight we will be closing our doors.

"We cannot operate in tier 2 as we are a wet-led pub and that’s what we do!

"Huge thanks to those guests who have been supporting us over the past few months and those of you yet to venture out we look forward to seeing you when this is over.

"Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Mike & Dawn."

Last week, council leader Louise Gittins warned that Cheshire West and Chester could be hit with the toughest level of Covid-19 restrictions when the tiers are reviewed again before the end of the year, unless a rising infection rate is curbed.

The weekly infection rate had stabilised at just over 100 per 100,000 people during the second national lockdown, but has now almost doubled for the seven-day period up to December 16.