A ban on different households meeting will be introduced amid further restrictions for the north of England after a spike in coronavirus cases.

It will be illegal to meet indoors in places such as pubs in the Liverpool City Region, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough from Saturday.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs the new rules “are necessary”.

In Middlesbrough, the mayor Andy Preston said: “We defy the government and we do not accept these measures.”

But he later said he would obey the law and urged others to do so.

Mr Hancock said he wanted the rules to stay in place for “as short a time as possible” and also “recommended against all social mixing between households”.

People should also:

• Not attend professional or amateur sports events as spectators
• Only visit care homes in exceptional circumstances
• People should not travel unless it is essential – for example to school and work

Mr Hancock told the House of Commons: “Earlier this week we brought in further measures in the north-east, however in parts of Teesside and the north-west of England cases continue to rise fast.”