BOOZED-up Brits spilled out of pubs and bars in Nottingham ahead of Boris Johnson announcing pubs must close in a tough Northern lockdown.

Revellers hit the streets to enjoy their freedom as the city teeters on the brink of ramped-up restrictions after a surge in coronavirus cases.

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Most obeyed the rule of six as they flooded out of busy pubs when the 10pm curfew hit.

Nottingham was yesterday revealed as England's new coronavirus hotspot with 2,294 new cases in a week.

The infection rate has rocketed to 760 cases per 100,000 people – more than seven times higher than the number two weeks ago.

There are now fears Nottingham's pubs and restaurants could close as part of Boris' three-tier lockdown plan.

The PM is also poised to order pubs and restaurants to shut in Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.

It means ten million Northerners could be back under a tougher lockdown as they fall into Tier 3 of the plans.

Boris will announce the dramatic new restrictions on Monday in the House of Commons.

He is hoping the three-tier system will simplify the current patchwork of measures, which local leaders have labelled confusing.

Areas with a low rate of infection will be placed in 'Tier 1' – where only national restrictions such as the Rule of Six and the 10pm curfew on hospitality venues will apply.

Regions in 'Tier Two' will see a ban on home visits and indoor socialising with other households.

And 'Tier Three' will see the most serious measures – including a total closure of the hospitality sector and a ban on overnight stays outside the home.

Scotland has already ordered pubs and restaurants in the central belt for 16 days after a steep rise in cases.

Elsewhere in the country, pubs can only remain open until 6pm indoors but can't serve alcohol.

But they are able to sell booze outdoors until 10pm.

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