PARTS of Worcestershire which could face tougher lockdown restrictions are opposing the idea of a county-wide coronavirus lockdown.

In Malvern, West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin confirmed she had been in discussions with the county and district councils this week about the likelihood of the county moving up a tier.

She said she would “strongly resist” a full-county change, adding: “I have had briefings from the local councils regarding proposals to change our local Covid regulations owing to a serious rise in cases in the north of the county.

“I would strongly resist this change as the incidence of cases in my constituency remains comparatively low and I have passed on the message to the county council that I will happily make that case to the minister if I am asked.

“Worcestershire people have taken extraordinary steps over recent months to help slow the spread of the virus and help to take the pressure off the NHS.

“With winter drawing in, there are clearly heightened risks but I am confident that with a strong local resilience plan already in place we can manage any hike in positive cases while protecting the NHS, the economy and people’s livelihoods.”

According to Worcestershire County Council, Bromsgrove has an infection rate of 121 per 100,000 people and Wyre Forest has a rate of 94 per 100,000 in the last 7 days.

The county’s rate overall continues to rise and, for the past seven days, stands at 74 per 100,000.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said lockdowns should be run on a district level, adding that "mixed messaging" from the government would only add to the ongoing confusion.

She said: "The covid situation nationally is very concerning for us all and overwhelming our NHS must be avoided, but as the leader at MHDC, my key concerns must also include our local economy.

READ MORE: Worcestershire could move up to 'high' tier of coronavirus lockdown

"Working closely with our MP and health officials I have asked that we look at lock downs district level.

"The concerns are that mixed messaging on such a local level will further confuse us all.

"If numbers keep rising in Worcestershire we will move to tier two, where the Government will not financially support our economy.

"We must as a district protect ourselves and our local NHS. Keep washing our hands, give each other space and keep wearing our masks."

Malvern Hills district councillor Paul Bennett said: “Malvern Hills is potentially being dragged into a higher tier of Covid restrictions because of being linked with Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest just because of the county boundary. How can that be right? We have separate figures for each district council and yet after seven months, the system set up for restrictions ignores the facts and is not fit for purpose.

“There is no way businesses in Malvern, Upton or Tenbury should shut because of this.

“I fully support any carefully planned and necessary closures but not because of the figures being higher in Bromsgrove. That does not make any sense at all here.”

Under the new tier system, most local authorities will go into the ‘medium’ tier, which will consist of the current lockdown measures including the rule of six and 10pm closing times for pubs and restaurants.

The next level up, ‘high’, includes most areas which are currently subject to local lockdown restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said areas where the number of cases rises the most rapidly will be put into the ‘very high’ top tier.

In this tier, restrictions on social mixing will be imposed, as well as closing pubs and restaurants. Schools, workplaces and shops will remain open in this case, according to Mr Johnson.