Coronavirus news - live: Test result turnaround times hit lowest point, as millions in northeast face lockdown

More than 1.5 million people across the northeast of England have been placed under new coronavirus restrictions after a significant spike in cases across the region.

People will be banned from socialising outside their own households or support bubble, leisure and entertainment venues will be shut between 10pm and 5am, and there will be table service only in bars and restaurants under the new measures.

The restrictions will be implemented across Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead and County Durham from midnight on Thursday after being announced by health secretary Matt Hancock in a statement in the House of Commons.

It comes as the latest weekly test and trace figures showed more than 18,300 people tested positive for coronavirus - an increase of 167 per cent compared to the end of August.