Seven councils in Yorkshire that have appeared on the national COVID-19 watchlist in recent weeks have pledged to work together in a bid to secure extra funding.

The councils have proposed they join forces to help work with communities to prevent community and household transmission, and to support care homes and low income households.

The councils - Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield – are also calling for extra support for low-income households during local outbreaks and additional funding for care homes.

The council leaders say these measures would provide the most cost effective way of managing outbreaks and reducing the chances of a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford District Council, said: ‘The actions we have drawn up add pace and scale to our efforts at a local level. We have developed a compelling case for more localised interventions and the added benefits they could generate.

'We look forward to exploring with Government how they can support us put them into practice.’