An MP has pressed for school staff to be added to the vaccination priority list.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron praised the "immense service" of people working in schools – and made the case for them to be added to the priority list for vaccinations.

Mr Farron was speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on a national petition which called on the Government to prioritise teachers, school and childcare staff for Covid-19 vaccination.

The petition has received more than 460,000 signatures, including more than 3,000 signatures from Cumbria.

589 people have signed the petition in Mr Farron’s Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.

He said: “People talk about the reopening of schools, but they are open; far more children are being taught in our schools and in school settings today than during the April-May phase of the earliest lockdown, for lots of very good reasons.

“We are asking teachers, teaching assistants and other school staff to put themselves in harm’s way for good reason, so it is right that they be considered as part of the priority vaccination list alongside others."