COUNCILLORS near the Greater Manchester border have warned residents to ‘be responsible’ once the tier system comes in.

Cheshire East has been placed into Tier 2, whereas neighbour Greater Manchester is under much tighter control in Tier 3.

This disparity has prompted some fears that towns near the boundary, such as Wilmslow, Handforth and Knutsford, could see swathes of people crossing over to enjoy the freedoms.

“There are no border crossings, so [we] cannot stop people from travelling. I do not think it is unique in this area,” said independent Wilmslow Dean Row member Cllr Toni Fox.

CEC’s portfolio holder for planning added: “It is a similar concern across the country. I can see it happening everywhere — it is up to people to be responsible.”

Additionally, Cllr Quentin Abel told the Guardian he believed ‘there will be people happy to be more risky’, but had faith in Knutsfordians acting in a way to not present ‘a great danger in our neck of the woods’.

Cllr Abel added he thought there was ‘more of a risk at Christmas’ as residents could let their guard down with family, whereas ‘with strangers you are more cautious’.

In the seven days up to November 21 — the most recently available date — CEC recorded an infection rate of 165.3 cases per 100,000. The rate was 250.9 ten days earlier.