East Renfrewshire is to remain in level two of lockdown restrictions, the First Minister has confirmed.

Nicola Sturgeon announced the local authority is among several areas not moving down to level one along with Renfrewshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, Midlothian and the three Ayrshire areas.

Ms Sturgeon said Scotland is at a "key and difficult moment" in the pandemic and must still "err on the side of caution". 

She added that in places where cases are relatively high or rising, the judgement is that a slight slowing down of the easing of restrictions to allow more time for more people to be fully vaccinated will help protect overall progress.

According to the latest statistics, East Renfrewshire has the highest Covid infection rate in Scotland.

Figures from Public Health Scotland of the rolling seven-day average to May 29 show that the level of positive cases is now at 164.3 per 100,000.

Remaining in level two means pubs and restaurants in East Renfrewshire can continue to serve alcohol indoors and up to six people from three households can meet inside each other's homes, including for overnight stays.

However, the area will not join regions such as Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire in moving down to level one on Saturday morning.

The First Minister also confirmed that Glasgow will move down to level two restrictions from Saturday.