PUB and restaurant owners are 'hugely disappointed' the Dorset Council area has moved into tougher coronavirus restrictions - but they do think it is the right decision.

Dorset Council moved from Tier 2 to Tier 3 level coronavirus restrictions at midnight. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area has been moved to Tier 4.

Tier 3 means pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés must close, except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services, while individuals from separate households or support bubbles cannot mix indoors and the rule of six applies outdoors.

Keith Treggiden, manager of Rendezvous, Royal Oak and Slug and Lettuce, was fully booked at the Slug and Lettuce for New Year's Eve and has been forced to throw out all the perishable goods he would have sold.

He said: "We had a big delivery yesterday in preparation for the busy night we were expecting and we have had to chuck away a lot of food - it is a sickening waste.

"However, I do think it is the right decision to move us into stricter restrictions. The numbers have been going up dramatically and we all need to do our bit to stop the spread.

"We are on the last bit of the road now and we need to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. As a county and a nation we have to persevere and get to the end of the pandemic."

Andrew Fox, landlord at The Royal Oak in Milborne St Andrew, was expecting the Tier 3 announcement.

He said: "We did see it coming so we weren't too shocked, it is just hugely disappointing. We will continue to do takeaways on Friday and Saturday nights so we will still have some business.

"I hope that the government are going to provide more grants to keep all the hospitality venues afloat. The furlough scheme is great for our staff but landlords and owners still need to be able to pay the bills while they are closed.

"I do think that shutting is the right decision for everyone's safety."