As Atherstone, Warwickshire and the rest of the country finds itself in a lockdown once again, the leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council has issued a statement urging residents who are struggling to contact the council for support.

Leader of the Council, Cllr David Wright said: "I am acutely aware of how hard this lockdown will be for so many people across our communities but the we must all follow the guidance.

"The safety of the public and our staff is our priority, together with providing as much support as we can to residents. We would like to repeat the essential guidance around hands, face space and the need to follow the advice about getting a test and self-isolating if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are in close contact with people showing those symptoms.

"We also have a community testing site set up in Water Orton and would like to encourage those that still need to leave their homes for work to access these tests on a regular basis even if they remain symptom free.

"We are aware that communities are doing a lot to support themselves and others and we are working with partner organisations to support these efforts to help people who are self-isolating or shielding again.

"All those hundreds of businesses effected by the latest lockdown you will be pleased to hear that we will processing the latest grants as soon as possible.

"Finally, I want to reassure anyone who is struggling for whatever reason be it accessing food, mental health issues, homelessness, struggling with council tax, rent or other payments that we are here to help and they should contact the North Warwickshire Borough Council to discuss (over the phone or via the website) and we will do what we can do to assist."

Please follow this link to the NWBC website for information on coronavirus, grants, testing and vaccinations.