The Indian coronavirus variant has been detected in Slough according to new data.

Wellcome Sanger Institute data shows the new strain has found in several areas across Berkshire including in Reading, Slough and Bracknell Forest.

The data does not show how many cases there are, but how many samples have been processed and sequenced.

READ MORE: Six facts you didn't know about Slough

In the two weeks to May 8, Bracknell Forest had 1.5 genomes per week.

Reading saw 4 whereas Slough had recorded 6 - the highest in the county.

Slough Observer:

It comes after Matt Hancock announced 86 local authorities in the UK have now recorded five or more confirmed cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19.

He told the House of Commons on Monday that while the B1617.2 variant seemed more transmissible, the evidence suggested vaccines were effective against it.

Mr Hancock said there were now 2,323 confirmed cases of B1617.2 in the UK – of which 483 were in Bolton and Blackburn with Darwen, where it is now the dominant strain.

He said cases there had doubled in the last week and were rising in all age groups.