Covid-19 cases have spiked in one Kent borough - giving it the sixth highest case rate in the whole of England.

The latest figures published via the government's coronavirus dashboard show Ashford now has 815.9 cases of the virus per 100,000 people.

This is a significant increase in the space of a month, with the rate reported for November 6 standing at a comparatively low 320.6 per 100,000.

At the height of the winter wave last year - driven by the emergence of the so-called 'Kent variant' - Ashford's rate peaked at 1,060.

Currently cases are most prevalent among school-age children and the middle-aged, with far fewer cases proportionally among the over 70s.

Ashford's case rate is now outstripping the England national average of 461.3 per 100,000 and the Kent rate of 580.

The latest figures come as the NHS prepares for a massive nationwide push to deliver booster jabs in a bit to lessen the impact of the newly-discovered Omicron variant of Covid-19.

All eligible adults in England aged 18 and over are set to be offered a booster vaccine by the end of January.

Last week Sajid Javid, the Health and Social Care Secretary, said: "Since we learnt of the new Omicron variant a few days ago, our strategy has been to buy the time we need to assess it while doing everything we can at pace to strengthen our defences.

"We have set an ambitious target to offer booster jabs to all adults in England by the end of January, while ensuring those most vulnerable to the virus will continue to be prioritised for their booster, and having the gap between second doses and boosters.

"This is a national mission and we all have a role to play - so step up, roll up your sleeves, and get protected when the time comes."