Borough MP hopeful Wigan can be released from new lockdown measures this week

Mr Grundy spoke to health secretary Matt Hancock last week about the borough, where separate households currently cannot meet indoors under measures which apply to the whole of Greater Manchester.

However, Wigan's numbers of new Covid-19 cases have been among the region's lowest for several weeks.

And data showed that on July 30 the seven-day infection rate in Wigan was almost 12 times smaller than in Oldham, Greater Manchester's worst-affected borough.

Mr Grundy said that if the picture remains similar when the latest statistics arrive this week there is no reason Wigan should continue to have the restrictions in place.

However, in the mean time he said residents in the borough must continue to follow the rules.

Mr Grundy said: "If the evidence shows a big rise in cases then obviously lockdown will continue, but given the evidence we've seen so far is that Wigan has one of the lowest infection rates in the region then I am hopeful that when they sit down to look at it they will take out areas with very low numbers of cases.

"There's a consensus developing that measures should be put in place for those towns that are worst affected and as we review and refine the process areas where there are very few cases should be allowed to carry on as normal.

"My view is that as long as case numbers remain very low Wigan should be withdrawn from the Greater Manchester wide measures.

"I encourage people to abide by the new lockdown measures until such time as they are lifted."

Mr Grundy filmed a video outlining his position on the measures with Wigan Council leader of the opposition Coun Michael Winstanley and he said there has been considerable support on social media.

He also said the new lockdown measures had only been imposed on certain parts of Lancashire and West Yorkshire, rather than applying to entire regions.