TWO more people being treated for coronavirus in East Lancashire have died, NHS England has confirmed.

The latest data, released today, shows that the two patients died on March 28 and March 29, respectively.

No details about the patients or at which hospitals they died at have been released.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Royal Blackburn and Burnley General, has been contacted for comment.

The two confirmed deaths brings the total at East Lancashire NHS Hospitals trust to four.

Bill Smith, from Great Harwood, who was 81 and had underlying health conditions had died with coronavirus on March 20.

His death was confirmed by Kevin McGee, the chief executive of the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust which runs it and Burnley General.

Mr McGee said: “Bill Smith was in his 80s and had underlying health conditions. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Mr Smith’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Mr Smith’s family said they were overwhelmed with the care he had received.

Two days earlier, William Henry Laycock, known as Harry, from Accrington, died from the virus.

His daughter Ann Bailey said: “My father loved life and lived it to the full right up to the end.”

Former looming and twisting manager Mr Laycock had been admitted to the hospital the previous weekend. He was confirmed as a Covid-19 case on the Monday March 16 and died two days later.

As well as Mrs Bailey, 57 from Cliviger, he leaves a son, Alan Laycock, 61 from Worsthorne, four grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a partner of several years Dorothy who has been confirmed with coronavirus although displaying no obvious symptoms and is currently in the Royal Blackburn.

Born in Trawden, Mr Laycock worked in several mills in East Lancashire and Yorkshire and spent two spells in Nigeria helping train local workers for the African country’s growing textile industry.