As the first step of the government's four-stage roadmap out of lockdown approaches, local health bosses are asking residents and businesses to 'keep going' to make sure restrictions are eased.

Staffordshire County Council health chiefs have stressed that each roadmap step is provisional and will be assessed against four tests - with the final decision being based on what appears to have become one of the government's latest slogans - "data, not dates".

The number of cases of Covid in the county has been coming down steadily, with there now being just over 110 new cases every week per 100,000 population – although this is still above the England average.

The council is thanking people for progress made and urging them to continue their efforts to reduce infection. Everyone has been asked to follow all the rules in place and get tested, especially if you cannot stay home or you live in a hotspot area, and to take the vaccine when offered.

This advice includes all Staffordshire residents who have already had the vaccine.

Dr Johnny McMahon Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said: "Huge sacrifices have been made to control the Covid virus in Staffordshire. We must all hold our nerve as the way back to a normal life appears to be getting closer.

"Let's stick together, keep going and continue our hard work.

"The gradual easing of restrictions are not givens - we all know how unpredictable the virus can be. It's really down to us to follow the rules and make the road out of lockdown a reality."

Staffordshire residents can drop into Community Testing Centres to get a rapid Covid-19 test. Walk ins are subject to availability at each individual site - to secure a slot in advance, book on the community testing sites web page.

People with symptoms or those who have been asked to self-isolate as a close contact of a Covid case should not attend.

Anyone with symptoms should only book a national test on the NHS website.