The rate of new coronavirus cases in Swindon has almost doubled in the past week, figures show.

Public Health England data analysed by the Press Association reveals there were 93 new cases in the week up to Saturday, October 10 – the equivalent of 41.9 new cases per 100,000 people.

It was almost double the rate in the week to October 3, when the town saw the equivalent of 23 new cases per 100,000.

Officials are battling rising coronavirus rates nationally. A new three-tier system of restrictions comes into force today; Swindon and Wiltshire are in the lowest tier – medium – with bans on more than six people meeting indoors or outdoors and a 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on the government to impose a two or three week “circuit breaker” lockdown in England in an effort to bring coronavirus rates down.

It came after it emerged Downing Street had dismissed a similar recommendation from government scientists three weeks ago.

The government accused Sir Keir of “playing political games in the middle of a global pandemic”. A source told PA: “He says he wants a national lockdown but he’s refusing to back targeted restrictions in areas that need them most.”