Latest figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have revealed there were eight coronavirus-related deaths in Axminster last month.

The ONS updated its figures this week to show all deaths caused by COVID-19 from March to December 2020 for each area across the country.

The eight deaths in December bring Axminster's total coronavirus-related deaths to 18. There were also three in April and seven in May last year.

Across Devon and Cornwall, December was the second deadliest month of the coronavirus pandemic, but still saw less than half the deaths of April.

COVID-19 case numbers across the two counties did decrease last week, with 4,390 new cases confirmed compared to 5,120 new cases the previous week.

The latest figures on case numbers show there were 12 COVID cases in Axminster in the seven days up until January 13, a decrease of three on the previous week and still well below the national average case rate.

In neighbouring areas, Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme has 19 cases, an increase of seven on the previous week; Seaton has eight cases, a decrease of seven; Dukeswell, Upottery & Stockland has 10 cases, a decrease of 18; Tatworth and Combe St Nicholas has 14 cases, an increase of three; and Lyme Regis, Charmouth and the Marshwood Vale has 30 cases, an increase of seven.