BURNLEY'S seven-day rate of new coronavirus cases has increased again as it remains the highest in the country.

Figures have revealed that 240 new cases were recorded in the borough in the seven days to September 24 - the equivalent of 269.9 per 100,000 people.

This is up from 256.4 yesterday and nearly double what it was in the seven days up to September 17 – 138.3.

Knowsley has the second highest rate, up from 137.2 to 265.1 with 400 new cases.

Liverpool is in third place, where the rate has risen from 146.6 to 251.8, with 1,254 new cases.

Pendle is in seventh position with a rate of 218.2, Hyndburn is 10th (196.2) Blackburn with Darwen is 11th (190.4) and Preston is 12th (190.0).

Other areas recording sharp increases in their seven-day rates include:

- Newcastle upon Tyne (up from 89.5 to 246.4, with 746 new cases)

- Sunderland (up from 88.2 to 188.7, with 524 new cases)

- Northumberland (up from 49.9 to 137.7 with 444 new cases)

- Halton (up from 143.0 to 219.5, with 284 new cases)

The list has been calculated by the PA news agency and is based on Public Health England data published on September 27 on the Government's coronavirus dashboard.

The figures, for the seven days to September 24, 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.

Data for the most recent three days (September 25-27) has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

Here are the 15 places with the highest rates. From left to right, it reads: name of local authority; rate of new cases in the seven days to September 24; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to September 24; rate of new cases in the seven days to September 17; number (in brackets) of new cases recorded in the seven days to September 17:

Burnley 269.9 (240), 138.3 (123)

Knowsley 265.1 (400), 137.2 (207)

Liverpool 251.8 (1254), 146.6 (730)

Newcastle upon Tyne 246.4 (746), 89.5 (271)

Bolton 238.9 (687), 196.1 (564)

Halton 219.5 (284), 143.0 (185)

Pendle 218.2 (201), 112.9 (104)

South Tyneside 211.3 (319), 137.1 (207)

Manchester 201.3 (1113), 127.2 (703)

Hyndburn 196.2 (159), 164.1 (133)

Blackburn with Darwen 190.4 (285), 143.6 (215)

Preston 190.0 (272), 151.6 (217)

Sunderland 188.7 (524), 88.2 (245)

Bury 187.4 (358), 148.7 (284)

Oldham 182.6 (433), 139.2 (330)