More than two in five people in Stroud have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, but there are big variations in coverage between different parts of the district, NHS figures reveal.

At 36.2 per cent, Stroud town has the lowest proportion of vaccinated residents over the age of 16, while 51.9 per cent of those living in Minchinhampton and Amberley have received a jab.

The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged over 65, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

As of February 28, 42,050 people in the district had received a vaccine jab, equating to 43 per cent of those aged 16 and over, according to the Office for National Statistics population estimates.

Of those receiving their first dose, 27,314 were aged 65 or over and 14,736 people were aged between 16 and 64.

The area with the second highest number of residents vaccinated is Painswick, Bisley and Eastcombe, with 50.4 per cent, and third is Frampton, Whitminster and Eastington, with 48.1 per cent.

The areas with the lowest coverage are Stroud Town, with 36.2 per cent, Upton St Leonards and Hardwicke, 38.3 per cent, and Dursley, 38.7 per cent.

These statistics compare to national coverage of 38 per cent, or 17.2 million people, which includes 94 per cent of people aged 65 and over.

This week nearly two million people aged 60 to 63 were sent letters inviting them to book a coronavirus jab.

The Government has pledged to offer vaccinations to everyone aged over 50 by the end of April.