... but areas revolt as infections soar

BOOMING infection rates in areas that have been under local lockdown for weeks last night fuelled a growing revolt.

A sudden spike in cases, triggered after a backlog was discovered over the weekend, suggested the epidemic is spiralling out of control in large areas of the North.

The new figures raised questions about the validity of local restrictions when they have failed to quell infection rates.

In Bolton, pubs and restaurants were closed for all but takeaway food and drink on September 7 when there were 92 cases for every 100,000 residents. Figures in the town have now soared to 238 per 100,000.

Disquiet over the logic of the rules has been growing, with a quarter of the population under some form of local restrictions.

Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle Council, accused the Government of ‘catastrophic failure’ after seeing cases in the city triple since it was placed under lockdown a week ago. He said: ‘If we cannot be confident in the data we are receiving from the Government, how can we make these life-altering decisions and do what is best for our residents and businesses?’

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: ‘I certainly feel this week that we’ve reached a bit of a turning point. The Government are really in danger of losing the public in the North of England.’

Last week the mayor of Middlesbrough, Andy Preston, warned they would not abide by the restrictions, but later backtracked.