More than 8,500 people in Wirral have received their second coronavirus vaccination jab in the last week, latest figures show.

According to NHS England, 26,983 people have now had both doses across the borough up to March 28 - in increase of 8,542 from seven days earlier.

For the first time, the weekly second dose numbers are more closely aligned to the first dose figure.

In Wirral, 168,467 people have now had their first dose - up 10,056 from a week earlier.

Progress in the 50s age group has continued to accelerate rapidly. 83.2% of all adults aged 50-54 have received the first dose, while 90.1% of 55-59-year-olds have also had the first jab.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned of a slowdown in supply during April, but it is understood that some Wirral surgeries have been able to start offering appointments to people under 50.

Meanwhile, Wirral University Teaching Hospital has seen a small increase in the number of patients it is treating for Covid-19.

As of March 30, eight patients were being treated for the virus as inpatients at Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals - in increase of three from seven days earlier.

One patient was occupying a mechanical ventilation bed.