LANCASHIRE County Council has revealed that almost four out of five adults across its 12 boroughs are now double-jabbed ­— better than the national average.

The local authority says 78.3 per cent of residents aged 18 or over have now had both coronavirus inoculations.

The county council area covers 12 boroughs including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale and Chorley.

The figure across England is 75.4 per cent of the 18-plus population.

In Blackburn with Darwen, 77.3 per cent of adults had received their first jab by September 13. In the county council area, 85.4 per cent of eligible residents had received at least one dose, compared to 82.6 per cent nationally.

Cllr Michael Green, the authority’s health and wellbeing boss, said: “The uptake of the vaccine in Lancashire has been fantastic, and it’s brilliant to see us punching above the national average.”

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, county council public health director, said: “Getting vaccinated is still the most effective thing you can do to protect yourself from serious illness and from other long-term illnesses, such as long Covid.

“The decision to offer Covid-19 vaccinations to all 12 to 15-year-olds is also good news for the children of Lancashire.

“It is critical that we keep our adult population protected, which is why the booster programme getting under way is so important.”