SIX towns in South Essex are now in the top 20 areas in England with the highest infection rates.

Thurrock remains the worst affected area in Essex after seeing 2,685 new cases recorded in the last seven days.

It has the third highest infection rate in the UK with 1540.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Harlow, Epping Forest and Castle Point are all in the top 10 areas with the worst infection rates.

Basildon is 13th on the list with a rate of 1323.2 and Southend 19th with a rate of 1234.7.

Below are the 20 areas with the highest infection rates in England, followed by the number of cases recorded in the past seven days.

Barking and Dagenham, 1,687.1, (3,592)

Redbridge, 1,559.2, (4,759)

Thurrock, 1,540.1, (2,685)

Harlow, 1,520.7, (1,324)

Epping Forest, 1,514.9, (1,995)

Broxbourne, 1,480.3, (1,440)

Newham, 1,477.3, (5,217)

Castle Point, 1,442.9, (1,304)

Rushmoor, 1,419.7, (1,343)

Havering, 1,398.9, (3,631)

Brentwood, 1,369.8, (1,055)

Enfield, 1,344.8, (4,489)

Basildon, 1,323.2, (2,477)

Tower Hamlets, 1,317.6, (4,279)

Bexley, 1,310.6, (3,254)

Dartford, 1,287.7, (1,450)

Gravesham, 1,274.6, (1,363)

Waltham Forest, 1,242.3, (3,441)

Southend-on-Sea, 1,234.7, (2,261)

Crawley, 1,206.3, (1,356)