Roose has had more deaths linked to the coronavirus than anywhere else in Barrow, new figures show.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics, which break down the number of deaths involving Covid-19 to areas within local authorities, show 16 people died in Roose with the virus between March and June.

In these cases, coronavirus was the underlying cause or was mentioned on the death certificate as a contributory factor.

At the other end of the scale, Parkside had two recorded deaths – the lowest of Barrow's 10 areas.

Deprived areas across England had death rates related to Covid-19 of more than double that of the most affluent parts – 139.6 per 100,000 compared to 63.4.

In Barrow, 76 people have died since the start of the pandemic with two deaths linked to coronavirus in June.

Martin McLeavy, Barrow Borough Councillor for Roosecote, attributed Roose having more deaths than anywhere else in Barrow to its elderly population.

He said: "Roose seems to be the area with a higher population of elderly people. We're in an unprecedented time where we still don't fully understand this virus.

"Barrow did a lot more testing of the virus early on which unfortunately is why the rates are so high. I'm chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and we are going to look into the early days of Covid-19 and what we did right and wrong so we can be much more prepared if there is a second spike."

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the statistics are another 'grim reminder' that it is the people living in more deprived areas who are bearing the brunt of this disease.

Peter Matejic, head of evidence at the organisation, said: "It is utterly wrong that someone’s life chances are so deeply impacted by where they live.

“Already worsening before the pandemic hit, we cannot allow our record on tackling poverty and health inequalities to unravel any further."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the disparity in mortality rates highlighted in the report is greater than the inequality seen in previous years.

He added: “We are committing to better understanding and reducing the disparity in health outcomes – in the context of coronavirus and more broadly. This is central to the work being taken forward by the Minister for Equalities, Kemi Badenoch.

“We are continuing to learn as much as we can, as quickly as we can, about this virus - who it affects and how best to protect those more vulnerable than others, while keeping everyone safe.”