BOLTON North East MP Mark Logan has called for everyone in the borough over the age of 18 to be given a coronavirus vaccination before the end of the month.

As the town's Covid-19 infection rate rockets to more than 10 times above the national average, the Conservative MP says vaccination is the only way to stop hospitalisation and death from the virus.

The call comes as cases of the highly infectious Indian variant have been discovered in Bolton.

Mr Logan said: “We must aim to vaccinate Bolton before the end of May.

"Over the last year Bolton has been living under a form of lockdown for longer than almost everywhere else in the country.

"And today we are suffering again, this time with the so-called Indian variant spreading much faster within the town.

“The Prime Minister was absolutely right on Friday to single us out and give us his full backing.

"Boltonians know that this PM has their backs.

“The only way we’ll help stop Covid causing serious illness, hospitalisation and death and avoid future lockdowns is if we vaccinate (first dose rollout) Bolton before the end of May.

"Bolton must be fast tracked for vaccinations and we must get that first dose out to all over 18s by the end of the month – as a priority."

MP Mark Logan speaking in Parliament

MP Mark Logan speaking in Parliament

Mr Logan has also praised the effort in leading the fight against coronavirus.

The MP added: “The response here in Bolton from local health and council leaders has been first class and there has been an absolutely heroic effort from volunteers, health professionals including Dr Helen Wall, Dr Helen Lowey and Andy Morgan at Bolton Council.

"These people are the true heroes of the last year and I would like to pay tribute to every one of them."