The leader of Herts County Council has reacted after PM Boris Johnson placed Hitchin and the county into Tier 4 - effectively cancelling Christmas for families.

Hitchin and Herts will enter a strict new lockdown at midnight tonight as millions of people have now been forced to cancel their Christmas plans at the last minute.

Families in our town will not be able to mix with any other households on Christmas Day, and should not leave their home except for specific reasons.

David Williams, leader of Hertfordshire County Council said: "This is very disappointing but the government has taken this decision in response to a new, faster spreading variant of the virus which is creating a significant increase to case numbers across London and the south east.

"It is essential we follow the new rules to prevent it spreading.

"We recognise the concerns that this escalation will prompt with both residents and businesses, and the additional restrictions and tougher rules that this involves.

"We also recognise the sacrifices they will be making yet again for the health, wellbeing and safety of the county."