It seems like we've been holding our breath for the last six weeks to see if Warwickshire will come out of lockdown restrictions that see many people facing a festive period at home.

Many of our county's businesses, shops, restaurants and pubs have opened, closed, opened and closed more times than they care to remember this year, and doors remain closed for the foreseeable.

On Thursday 17th December, Health Secretary, Matt Hancock read out just a few areas around the UK that moved into tier two, with even fewer moving into tier one, and Warwickshire was in neither list.

It meant that owners of pubs like the famous Virgins & Castle on the Old High Street in Kenilworth won't get to celebrate their first Christmas in the way they had hoped.

But they're not giving up on Christmas just yet!

We've come to know the Virgins & Castle as quite a resourceful and creative pub over this last year.

Not only for taking over the 16th century pub just 10 days before lockdown one, back in March, but also for the way they have supported the community and created new initiatives to keep business going and give people a reason to visit the pub.

General Manager, Andy Lock explained: "Of course we're disappointed that we're not opening our doors over the Christmas period, but if it keeps our community safe, then that has to be the first priority.

"We were really looking forward to sharing all the work we had done in the pub on our festive food menus. We had events planned in the lead up to Christmas and the new year and generally wanted to create a special, cosy place.

"Somewhere where people can come together out of the cold and enjoy a drink and bite to eat together."

Tier 3 for Kenilworth pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes means that they can't have people visiting like they did in the summer, but they can offer takeaway.

Andy went on to say: "We got our festive thinking hats on and talked with the team and our guests to see what we could do while we can't be open.

"Firstly, to keep our business operating and generating revenue, but secondly because we're being told time and time again that our guests want to support us and that is just incredible.

"We've decided to do one last Sunday roast takeaway before Christmas on Sunday 20th December.

"In the lead up to Christmas we'll be offering festive food and drink hampers with our delicious snacks and sharing boards freshly prepared by our chefs. We'll have indulgent chocolate logs for the family to share.

"We'll also have gift vouchers so people can spend them as soon as we can reopen and we'll have festive mini-kegs of ale as well as a great selection of wines.

"Christmas Day is for our families and so we won't be open on 25th December, but we will be on Boxing Day with warming mulled wine, comforting hot chocolate and winter BBQ food and snacks to take away.

"We know a lot of people like to take a walk in the beautiful parks around us in Kenilworth and