Britain recorded 23,511 new COVID-19 cases and 131 more coronavirus-related deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to government data.

It is the seventh day in a row that the number of infections has fallen.

But it is the highest number of daily deaths since 17 March, when 141 fatalities were reported.

It takes the total number of people who have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive COVID test to 129,303.

Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that since the pandemic began there have been 154,000 deaths registered in the Kingdom where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.

Responding to Tuesday's data, Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England (PHE), said: "Rates are still high and the pandemic is not over yet, today we have recorded the highest number of deaths since March.

(With input from agencies)