More local authorities will be deploying surge testing in a bid to stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variants.

Additional surges testing and sequencing will be deployed to areas in Worcestershire, Sefton, Bristol and South Gloucestershire after variants were found.

This follows warnings that a number of cases have no link to international travel.

Last week, Dr Susan Hopkins, strategic response director to Public Health England said: ‘A small proportion of these cases have no link to international travel suggesting that there are some cases in the community.

’In response to this, we are ramping up testing in targeted areas, so we can gather more information and effectively monitor any further community transmission.’