New Tier restrictions are due to be announced today and speculation is growing that many areas of the UK will go into the highest Tier level, Tier 4.

Gloucestershire was initially into Tier 2 following the second national lockdown that ended December 2.

The area remained in Tier 2 until the last review, where it was placed into Tier 3, with effect from Boxing Day.

Bristol and North Somerset were originally grouped with South Gloucestershire in Tier 3 but were then subsequently dropped into Tier 2 before Christmas, before being put back up into Tier 3 on December 26.

To coincide with the latest restriction announcements, a report was released by by TES (Times Educational Supplement) stating more senior school year groups are set to have delayed return to school, with only children of key workers or vulnerable children to return January 4. Schools were initially advised that following the Christmas break, all students would return except those in years 7 - 9.

Primary school children are still expected to return at the beginning of the new term.