THE coronavirus infection rate in Blackburn with Darwen - England's worst affected place - has dropped slightly.

In the latest rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 figures Blackburn with Darwen continues to have the highest rate in England, with 1150 new cases in the seven days up to October 26 - equivalent to a rate of 768.2.

The week before, up to October 19, 951 new cases were recorded, a rate of 635.3. 

Yesterday, the rate for the area exceeded 800 cases per 100,000 people for the first time.

Rossendale is the sixth worst affected place with an infection rate of 589.0, another slight dip from yesterday's figures.

Hyndburn and Pendle also remain in the top 20 for highest infection rates - after Ribble Valley dropped to the 30th highest spot. 

Oldham still has the second highest rate, up from 507.8 to 703.5 with 1,668 new cases.

Wigan is in third place, where the rate has risen from 495.0 to 687.3, with 2,259 new cases.

The list has been calculated by the PA news agency and is based on Public Health England data published on October 29 on the Government’s coronavirus dashboard.