The United Kingdom has recorded another 49,139 new COVID cases and 179 virus-related deaths, the latest figures show.

The cases figure is the highest since 17 July, when there were 54,674 cases.

A total of 320,594 cases have been recorded in the last week - an increase of 17.2 percent.

The figures show there were another 42,902 first doses of a COVID jab administered in the latest 24-hour period - meaning a total of 49,505,327 people have had at least one dose.

A total of 45,433,757 people are fully vaccinated, an increase of 32,767 on the previous day.

The vaccine figures now include children aged between 12 and 16.

(With input from agencies)