The leader of Lincolnshire County Council has pledged to work with MPs and district council leaders to help ensure businesses are compensated for losing sales in the busiest time of the year.

Coun Martin Hill made the pledge after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the whole of Lincolnshire would remain in the toughest tier level of restrictions- a move which will see the continued closure of many hospitality businesses amid others.

Coun Hill said: "We accept and understand the government's decision to keep Lincolnshire in Tier 3 in line with neighbouring counties who are mostly now in the highest tier, when the Covid virus is showing no signs of easing. But this is hugely disappointing for our economy including the hospitality sector who are struggling to survive."

He continued: "This is not going to help the shops and businesses who could be benefitting from the festive period when people are spending their money.

"It's disappointing that not all businesses are able to trade and prosper during what is one of our busiest periods in the run up to Christmas, when they could recapture some of the lost revenue due to lockdown and opening restrictions during most of this year.

"I will now be working with MPs and district leaders to ensure a suitable compensation scheme is put in place for local businesses.

"But we can't ignore the health of our communities and the pressures on our hospitals.

"If our situation continues to improve we'll be pressing government to look at this again in the New Year."