Liverpool City Region leaders have reacted with anger after it has been confirmed that Lancashire will enter Tier Three lockdown restrictions from Saturday but with gyms still open.

The Lancashire local authority has agreed a deal with the government today that moves areas such as Preston, Blackpool, Burnley and Lancaster into the 'very high' alert measures that came into effect in Wirral earlier this week.

But despite rules clearly laid out that state that in Tier Three, indoor fitness centres such as gyms and dance studios must close, Lancashire have been told that their gyms can remain open.

Leader of Wirral Council, Jan Williamson shared her thoughts on Twitter.

She said: "As Liverpool City Region leaders we('re) demanding the evidence from the government immediately as to why our gyms have had to shut and Lancashire can keep theirs open.

"We need fairness and consistency, what we have is a shambles."

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: "We now have Tier 3 A and Tier 3 B. Are gym users in Lancashire more safer than those in Liverpool regions?"

A number of indepedent gyms in Wirral refused to close on Wednesday (October 14), demanding to see evidence that their premises were not safe. Body Tech gym in Moreton received a £1,000 fine issued by Merseyside Police for failing to comply with Tier 3 rules.

It is currently unclear whether restrictions currently in place in the Liverpool City Region will be aligned with those now set to come into effect in Lancashire.