SOUTH Ayrshire is heading for level four lockdown meaning all bars, cafes and most shops would be forced to close, according to a leak.

A leaked briefing has included South Ayrshire in a list of 12 local authority areas set to be moved from level three to level four.

The tough new rules are expected to be in force from Friday.

The Scottish Daily Mail reported that business leaders were told "it is likely/probable that on Tuesday the First Minister will say that a number of Scottish local authorities will be put into Level 4 of the Covid strategic framework". 

All three Ayrshire councils, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, West and East Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and Stirling, are all heading for the toughest lockdown since March.

The details were reportedly revealed in two private briefings with trade bodies. 

Nicola Sturgeon last week confirmed that rising numbers in South Ayrshire were causing 'concern'. 

Between November 2 and 8 there were eight deaths from COVID-19 in the local authority area bringing the total to 127. 

It was confirmed that one resident at an Ayr care home had died after catching coronavirus. 

The resident was one of 15 who have tested positive for COVID-19 at Claremont Care Home in Whitletts. 

READ MORE: Resident dies from coronavirus at Ayr care home

The leader of South Ayrshire Council last week pleaded with residents to stick to the rules.

Councillor Peter Henderson said: “We’re trying to keep businesses going.

“The government talk to us every week as do Public Health Scotland.

“We don’t want to get to the stage of total lockdown, businesses are getting it hard enough.

“With the festive season coming up it is a worrying time but if we stick to the guidance we’ve got every chance."

The Advertiser told how 17 people were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaking coronavirus guidelines by hosting a party in Tarbolton. 

The party on Hallowe'en has been blamed for a spike in coronavirus cases in South Ayrshire. 

READ MORE: Party in village leads to South Ayrshire coronavirus cases spike​

READ MORE: Owners of Tarbolton Airbnb apologise for 'shocking' behaviour of guests