SIX cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus have been detected in Cheshire, new figures reveal.

This includes one in Cheshire West and Chester and five in Cheshire East.

Public Health England (PHE) has been tracking the spread of the B.1.617.2 mutation – which originated in India – by testing positive Covid-19 cases across the country for an 'S-gene'.

The gene is not present in the dominant Kent variant, which was responsible for a surge in cases over the winter, but is present in other variants of concern, including those from India.

Scientists have determined that the vast majority of the S-gene specimens identified across England in May are the Indian variant.

PHE identified one positive case of the S-gene in Cheshire West and Chester between May 8-14.

Meanwhile, five positive cases of the S-gene were recorded in Cheshire East in the same period.

The health body had previously reported that two cases were detected in each of these areas between May 2-8, but warned that it has counted any tests conducted on May 8 twice.

The majority of areas in England have reported at least one case.

The data shows 6,729 S-gene positive cases were recorded in England between the start of March and May 11 – up from 4,363 by May 5.

Of these, 2,994 – 44 per cent – were in the North West, the largest proportion of England's nine regions.

PHE analysis suggests that of a national sample of 1,192 positive S-gene specimens, 93 per cent were found to be the B.1.617.2 Indian mutation.

The data comes as a separate PHE study found both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were highly effective against the Indian strain after a second dose.

However, the same study found they were only 33 per cent effective three weeks after the first dose.

The efficacy of the vaccines against the new variants is seen as a major obstacle blocking the next stage of the roadmap, but the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency said the possibility of restrictions being eased on June 21 was 'looking good'.

However, Dr Jenny Harries urged the public to be cautious to avoid another lockdown, warning that the new Indian variant has become the 'dominant strain' in some parts of the country.