THE coronavirus infection rate in Middlesbrough is still the region's highest - but how does the town and region compare with Leicester?

Latest figures from Public Health England show dozens of towns and cities from across the UK have more Covid-19 cases, per 100,000 people, than in our region.

Leicester, which is in the East Midlands, has been in lockdown for the past two weeks after a spike in the number of cases.

The rest of England including the North-East has been able to reopen its pubs, restaurants and cafes, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The current rate of coronavirus cases per 100,000 population in Leicester stands at 1,226.0.

Meanwhile, the infection rate in Middlesbrough currently stands at 679.5 cases per 100,000 people.

Here's how the region compares:

The three UK areas with the highest rate of coronavirus infections - as of July 14:

1. Leicester - 4,355 cases - 1,226.0

2. Bradford - 4,417 cases - 822.3

3. Oldham - 1,884 cases - 799.6

Where your area's infection rate ranks among the North-East and North Yorkshire - as of July 14:

1. Middlesbrough - 955 cases - 679.5

2. Sunderland - 1,770 cases - 638.0

3. Hartlepool - 593 cases - 636.0

4. Gateshead - 1,280 cases - 632.1

5. County Durham - 3,326 cases - 631.1

6. South Tyneside - 947 cases - 630.2

7. Darlington - 604 cases - 566.8

8. Redcar and Cleveland - 701 cases - 512.7

9. Newcastle upon Tyne - 1,532 cases 510.3

10. Northumberland - 1,577 cases - 492.4

11. Stockton-on-Tees - 964 cases - 488.8

12. North Tyneside - 918 cases - 445.7

13. York - 910 cases - 433.6

14. North Yorkshire - 2,533 cases - 412.2