BLACKBURN with Darwen has got its second confirmed coronavirus case, it has been confirmed.

Public Health England revealed the total number of COVID-19 cases in Lancashire has now hit 81.

Those figures include two in Blackburn with Darwen, 71 in the Lancashire County Council catchment and eight in Blackpool.

The number of people who have died after contracting coronavirus in the UK now totals 422 – a jump of 87 and the largest day-on-day increase in the number of deaths since the outbreak began.

It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that some 250,000 volunteers in good health are being recruited by the Government to help vulnerable people.

Mr Hancock said people are needed to assist with the national effort to tackle coronavirus by shopping, delivering medicines and supporting those who are shielding themselves against Covid-19.

He said more than 35,000 extra staff have already joined up to help fight against the virus, including retired doctors and nurses returning to the service and final year students.

Mr Hancock said 11,788 recently retired NHS staff had responded to the call to return to the service, including 2,660 doctors, more than 2,500 pharmacists and other staff and 6,147 nurses.

"I pay tribute to each and every one of those who is returning to the NHS at its hour of need," Mr Hancock said.

Some 5,500 final-year medics and 18,700 final-year student nurses will also "move to the frontline" next week.