A traffic light system is under consideration for all districts of England as part of the latest moves by Government to control the spread of coronavirus, it has been reported.

If the system came into force, it would be used to keep track of local outbreaks and to act a quick-fire guide as to where lockdowns are needed.

Depending on the severity of the pandemic locally, local authority areas such as Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale would be ranked red, orange or green.

It is understood that the traffic light system would work in tandem with the new NHS app. It would allow users to receive automatic alerts on their phone when extra restrictions are brought in.

Ministers are said to be thrashing out the final details of the meaning of each category. However, a place with a green designation may face no further restrictions, beyond the national rules, amber may see bans on people meeting up in certain circumstances, while a red ranking would bring in much more targeted measures.

The measures are being considered as one possible way of simplifying the local lockdown system, which has been criticised as being too confusing and piecemeal.