NEARLY 400 new coronavirus cases were recorded in Warrington in the space of a week, according to the latest data from Public Health England.

A total of 397 positive Covid-19 tests were returned in the town in the seven days before June 17, the most recent period for which data is available.

This equates to 189 infections for every 100,000 residents, the 25th highest case rate in the country at present.

By comparison, in the week leading up to June 10 there were 281 transmissions – or 133.8 per 100,000.

Warrington was one of 267 local authority areas in England which saw a rise in cases between these two dates, while 44 experienced a fall and four were unchanged.

Blackburn with Darwen continues to have the highest case rate nationally, followed by Hyndburn, the Ribble Valley, Burnley and Manchester.

Only three areas outside the north west had a higher rate than Warrington – namely Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Tyneside and Leeds in 14th, 18th and 20th respectively.