598,389 received their first coronavirus vaccine dose on Saturday in the UK setting a new national record, officials said on Sunday.

England recorded the majority of people with 549,943 doses given on Saturday, 10,252 of which were second doses. An additional 25,299 doses were administered in Wales and 23,055 in Scotland.

This meant that the number of people to receive a vaccine dose also rose above 600,000 in a single day for the first time.

The previous record was set last Saturday when the UK reported 491,970 doses administered in a single day.

"I'm delighted that 598,389 people received their first COVID vaccine yesterday - the highest day so far. Each vaccine administered brings us one step closer to normal. Thank you to all involved," Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted.

"A new record! Well done team. Well done to all of the @NHSuk family, our Armed forces & the army of volunteers. We will do this," Minister for Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi tweeted.

The total number of first doses given in the UK is now 8,977,329, and second doses have reached 491,053.

Meanwhile, 587 more people died of COVID-19, bringing the total to 106,158, according to government data. That figure is a drop from the 1,200 reported on Saturday.

The UK has reported more coronavirus-related deaths than any other country in Europe and has one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in the world.

A further 21,088 people tested positive for the virus bringing the total number of cases to 3,817,176.

(With input from agencies)