Barrow's MP believes the area might be "turning a corner" in the coronavirus fight – despite being named in the top 10 in the UK for weekly rises in Covid-19 rates.

Data from Public Health England revealed that Barrow is 10th in areas across the UK which have seen the biggest increase in coronavirus rates.

The figures, for the seven days to January 10, are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The rate is expressed as the number of new cases per 100,000 people.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 113 (36 per cent) have seen a rise in case rates, 200 (63 per cent) have seen a fall and two are unchanged.

Barrow has the 10th highest weekly rate in the UK, up from 447.4 to 581.7 cases per 100,000 people – with 390 new cases recorded in the town in the seven days to January 10.

However, Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, said there were "some early indications" that lockdown measures were tackling the increase in coronavirus cases.

He said: "There are some early indications that the lockdown measures are arresting the increase in coronavirus cases in our community, and that we might even be turning the corner.

"We should know for sure next week as there is a clear lag between measures taken and new cases.

"That said, the way to keep this rate down is to stick to the guidance, stay at home whenever possible and remember to cover your face, maintain space, and keep washing your hands."

Barking and Dagenham in London continues to have the highest rate in England, with 3,013 new cases recorded in the seven days to January 10 – the equivalent of 1,415.2 cases per 100,000 people.

This is down from 1,615.3 in the seven days to January 3.

Knowsley in Merseyside has the second highest rate, up from 928.0 to 1,363.5, with 2,057 new cases.

Newham in London is in third place, down very slightly from 1,400.6 to 1,320.7, with 4,664 new cases.