The impact of lockdown easing on Covid-19 infection rates in Stroud is starting to emerge after new figures were produced by Public Health England.

The data show changes in the rates of infection for the first 12 days after outdoor hospitality, gyms and hairdressers were opened on April 12.

Between April 10 and 17, reported cases of Covid-19 rose from three to 13 per 100,000 people, before dropping to 11 cases by April 24.

This means there was a fortnightly increase in coronavirus infection rates of 38 per cent, though numbers remain low.

As of April 24, Stroud recorded the third lowest Covid infection rate in the South West, joint with South Somerset.

Only Cheltenham and the Forest of Dean had lower rates, with 10 and 8 cases per 100,000 respectively.

Coronavirus case rates rose in 12 of the 17 reporting areas between April 17 and April 24, with the biggest increase recorded in the Cotswolds which moved from five cases per 100,000 people to 18.

Covid-19 rates remained the same in two areas, and dropped in three.

The highest case rate was recorded in Swindon, with 29 new infections per 100,000 people, Sedgemoor, with 24, and Bristol, 23.

No reporting area in the South West recorded a case rate above 30 per 100,000 people.

On April 12, hairdressers and beauty parlours, outdoor hospitality, non-essential retail and parts of gym/leisure facilities were allowed to reopen.

Zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas also got the go-ahead, and self-contained staycations were permitted.