Hundreds more people in Copeland have been told to shield after experts identified additional adults at serious risk of Covid-19.

NHS England data reveals that 1,745 people in the area were set to receive letters urging them to avoid leaving their home except for in certain circumstances, such as to exercise or attend health appointments, as of February 22.

It took the total number of people advised to shield in the area to 4,810 – a 57 per cent increase.

The initial shielding list included people with single risk factors such as those with various cancers, people on immunosuppressant drugs or those with severe respiratory conditions.

It has been expanded after scientists developed a new tool which assesses whether someone is at risk of severe disease or death.

The tool looks at multiple factors including age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), other health conditions and also postcode, which is indicative of levels of deprivation.

Copeland councillor John Kane said: "It's very worrying that this has came out so late."

Also concerned about access to vacines he added: " there is a lack of understanding by the government for Cumbria people are having to travel to Ulverston for an injection we need to have more access in the West of the county."

The predictive risk model was developed by researchers led by scientists at Oxford University.

Up until February 10, there were 3,065 patients on the list of clinically extremely vulnerable people in Copeland. Those newly identified following a Government announcement on February 16 will get priority access for vaccines if they have not yet received a jab due to their age.