MORE than 300 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Warrington in the space of a week, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

Data showed that in the seven days before June 11, the most recent period for which statistics are available, a total of 312 positive Covid-19 tests were returned in the town.

This equates to 148.6 transmissions for every 100,000 residents, the 23rd highest case rate in the country at present.

By comparison, in the week leading up to June 4 there were 116 cases reported in the borough – or 55.2 per 100,000.

Warrington was one of 283 local authority areas in England to experience a rise in cases between these two dates, while 28 saw a fall and four were unchanged.

Blackburn with Darwen continues to have the highest rate nationally, with 890 infections in a week – or 594.5 per 100,000.

Also in the top five hotspots were the Ribble Valley, Hyndburn, Burnley and Rossendale.

Only two places outside of the north west – Bedford and Leeds, in 21st and 22nd respectively – had higher case rates than Warrington.