THE MP for Keighley and Ilkley has said that tougher COVID-19 restrictions announced by the Government today for the Bradford area 'have become necessary'.

Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale are amongst the areas now banned from socialising with other people outside their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens from Tuesday.

And wards previously exempt from lockdown, including Craven, Ilkley and Worth Valley constituency wards of MP Robbie Moore, are now subject to the ban.

Mr Moore, who last week had recommended lifting the three Keighley wards from local lockdown, has changed his mind due the recent figures which show a rise in COVID-19 infections.

Mr Moore said: "I have advocated a data-led response throughout and based on this new data the restrictions have become necessary.

"The impact of a full national lockdown would be detrimental to the mental health of children, but if everybody is able to follow these restrictions and keep the virus down, we will hopefully have some kind of return to normality.

"But for now the case numbers are starting to rise. When the data shows that the impact of the virus is starting to drop, I'll be advocating a change in the restrictions."