TWO areas of Lancashire are in the top 10 for having the highest coronavirus infection rates, according to latest figures.

The list of the weekly rate of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority in England ranks Blackburn with Darwen as 4th and Pendle as 7th.

The figures are based on tests that have been carried out both in laboratories ­— pillar one of the Government's testing programme ­— and in the wider community, pillar two.

Leicester is still the most-affected authority in the country.

Blackburn with Darwen's rate of new cases in the seven days to July 6 is 33.6, compared to 23.5 for the previous seven days to June 29.

Pendle's figures are 25.2 and 17.5.

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

The list is based on the latest Public Health England figures updated on July 9 on the Government's coronavirus online dashboard.

Data for the most recent three days (July 7 to 9) has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

The list shows the rate of new cases in the seven days to July 6, followed by the equivalent figure for the previous seven days to June 29.

20 authorities with the highest rate of coronavirus infections in England

1. Leicester 125.3, 140.5

2. Bradford 35.7, 50.1

3. Rochdale 34.5, 38.2

4. Blackburn with Darwen 33.6, 23.5

5. Kirklees 32.4, 28.9

6. Oadby and Wigston 29.8, 50.8

7. Pendle 25.2, 17.5

8. Blaby 24.9, 17.9

9. Carlisle 24.0, 12.0

10. Ashford 23.2, 26.3

11. Oldham 21.6, 31.0

12. Peterborough 21.4, 17.4

13. Northampton 21.3, 12.9

14. Harborough 20.5, 9.7

15. Folkestone and Hythe 19.5, 24.0

16. Bedford 18.6, 18.1

17. Bolton 17.9, 23.8

18. Barnsley 17.5, 35.1

19. Rotherham 16.6, 31.0

20. St Albans 16.3, 9.5