Blackburn and Luton could face lockdown next week as towns join Leicester as coronavirus 'areas of intervention'

BLACKBURN and Luton could face lockdown next week.

The towns have joined Leicester as coronavirus 'areas of intervention' by Public Health England.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Both are now at the same level as the Midlands city which was subject to the UK's first full local lockdown.

A government source told Sky News not to expect Leicester-style lockdowns in the towns.

Instead, people should expect the national lifting of coronavirus restrictions to be delayed.

Sports centres, gyms and pools will not be allowed to reopen this weekend – unlike the rest of the UK, the BBC reports.

PHE figures show there were 118 cases in the seven days to July 17 in Blackburn, with a rate of 79.2 cases per 100,000 people.