All licenced premises will close indoors and outdoors in North Ayrshire from Friday to contain the spread of covid-19.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the decision as part of restrictions for the whole country, with specific additional measures for the central belt.

Starting from 6pm on Friday until Sunday October 25, no licenced premises will be allowed to open in North Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Lothian and the Forth Valley health board areas.

Exceptions to this include hotels for residents, and takeaways will be permitted for all premises.

Cafes which do not have an alcohol licence will be able to stay open until 6pm each day to “support social isolation”.

All snooker halls, pool halls, indoor bowling alleys, casinos and bingo halls must also close from Friday.

Contact sports for over 18s are to be suspended with the exception of professional sports, and indoor group exercise activities must be stopped.

Outdoor live events are also banned from Friday but gyms can remain open for individual exercise only.

The government is asking residents to avoid using public transport unless necessary for going to school or work.

Residents are also advised not to travel outside of their own health board area but can go on their October holidays if they have been booked.

In other parts of the country outside of the central belt, bars, pubs and restaurants can serve food and non-alcoholic drinks until 6pm.

However, alcohol can be served in outdoor settings including beer gardens until 10pm, with social distancing and rules on household numbers remaining in place.

All restrictions will be under review before they are due to end on Sunday October 25, with more detail available on the Scottish Government website.