The mayor of Bridport is urging residents to not be complacent about the level of personal risk in Dorset.

Councillor Ian Bark wants everyone to stay safe and do their bit to reduce the risk of them and other people catching coronavirus.

He said: "As we find ourselves once more moving towards another Covid-19 lockdown on Thursday, November 5, we all need to take stock of how we live our everyday lives in order to drive down the number of cases and save lives.

"Over the last few weeks, there has been a significant rise in confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Dorset Council area. At the moment, the Dorset Council area remains in Tier 1, medium alert level. Case numbers are continuing to go up, particularly in the 18 to 30 age range and there are more patients in our hospitals who are testing positive with Covid-19.

"Compared with the situation in other areas of the country, it would be all too easy to be complacent about the level of personal risk. This is an extremely dangerous stance to take given the rapid rise in the number of cases in the Dorset Council area over recent weeks. The situation in the Dorset Council area is serious.

"It is therefore vital that everyone does their bit and follows the Government guidelines, otherwise we will see ourselves moving to a higher tier."

Cllr Bark is urging residents to limit contact with people outside their household, those with Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate - not leaving your home at all, even to go to work or school, to the shops or to exercise - and book a test.

He added: "It's very important to do what you can to reduce the risk of you and other people getting ill with coronavirus. Remember, you can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms."

You can read the mayor's blog at bridport-tc.gov.uk