NORTH Somerset is in the top ten constituencies in the South West for vaccine figures - with Yeovil, Wells and Somerton and Frome close behind.

According to the latest figures (released on February 25), 30.5 per cent of Somerset's population have received at least a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination. This is more than 295,000 people.

North Somerset features in the top 10 of the South West’s 55 constituencies, with an estimated 35.8% of its population having received at least one dose.

The next highest figures in Somerset are in Yeovil (34.1%), Wells (32.7%) and Somerton and Frome (32.4%).

Wells MP, James Heappey, said he is "delighted" and "proud" of the vaccine effort.

“I am delighted the vaccine rollout is going so well nationally and – of course- here in Somerset," he said.

"Having spoken to leading GPs of the PCNs over the past few weeks, I know what a fantastic group effort it has been.

“I also visited the mass vaccination centre at the Bath and West Showground on Friday. It is such a well-organised centre and it is easy to see why this is going so well.

“This is our ticket to freedom, and I am so proud to be part of the Government delivering on this alongside the County Council, PCNS, GPs and all the brilliant vaccination volunteers.

"The collaborative effort means we are world leading and long may it continue.”

With the UK vaccination programme averaging more than 2.5 million doses a week, the Prime Minister aims to ensure every adult is offered a jab by the end of July.

More than 19 million people have received a vaccine so far, equivalent to 1 in 3 adults, including over 1.7 million in the South West.

This is the third highest per capita, behind only the UAE and Israel. In addition, only two countries have administered more doses than the UK – China and the USA.

Everyone in the top four priority groups has now been offered a vaccine and invites are now going out to those in priority groups 5 to 9.

READ MORE: Now Somerset's over-70s can book a Covid-19 vaccination

The latest figures show that two-thirds of those aged 65 to 69 have now been vaccinated.

Julian Ellacott, chairman of South West Conservatives, has welcomed the Prime Minister’s roadmap to take cautious and irreversible steps out of lockdown, which will be guided by the data and not dates.

He said: “The vaccination roll-out continues to be a great success in the South West and across the country.

“Over 1.7 million people in the South West have now had at least one dose – over 30% of the population – thanks to a huge team effort from NHS staff, volunteers and everyone else involved.

“I urge everyone to have their vaccine when called on, as every jab will bring us one step closer to normality.”