The 10 towns and counties where coronavirus cases are rising and risking more local lockdowns

CORONAVIRUS cases have risen in 10 towns and counties in the past two weeks - risking more local lockdowns.

The new hotspots could follow Leicester in seeing restrictions brought back in, and pubs and schools closed up again.

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Health officials are now keeping a close eye on these hotspots threatening the UK's fight against the killer bug.

Leicester city council today reported 944 new cases emerged in two weeks, with Public Health England data earlier suggesting a rise of 80 between June 13 - June 26.

And Doncaster, second in the table, saw 43 new infections - half the cases Leicester reported - within the same two week period.

Derbyshire, which borders Leicestershire, has also seen a worrying spike, with 25 new cases in the week up to June 26, a rise of 23 on the previous week.

Sandwell, also in the Midlands, reported 18 new infections between June 13 - June 26.

London boroughs Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Ealing are also in the ten areas seeing a rise, and all reported cases more than double in just a week in the same time period.

It comes as the UK has been seeing a general trend of falling cases, after months of lockdown restrictions.

Most areas of the country had been reporting a steady decline in infections, but since mid-June, these 10 spots have seen a rise.

Wigan, Richmond upon Thames and Gateshead all reported no new cases a week-and-a-half ago, but have each seen two new infections in the week ending June 26.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday Leicester would be the only place in England not allowed to ease restrictions after a spike - but warned the lockdown measures could be brought back in for other rising hotspots.

A number of northern towns and their infection rates are worrying experts, with The Times reporting health officials have warned Leicester is a "tinderbox" for a rise in cases.