Maryport and Cockermouth appear to be leading the country in the Covid vaccine.

Maryport Health Services and Castlegate and Derwent Surgery in Cockermouth have vaccinated 92 per cent of over 80s which has enabled them to start giving the jab to over 70s and the vulnerable, according to Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi.

Asked in a Radio 4’s Today programme, he said it was it was possible to look at vaccinating the next cohort because of places like Maryport and Cockermouth who had achieved the 92 per cent.

Cockermouth was then singled out again by Prime Minister Boris Johnston in a press briefing.

Ann-Marie Steel, Maryport’s Hug A Mug co-ordinator, who has been co-ordinating the Maryport jabs, said it could not have been done without the volunteers.

“The weather has not been kind and they have been outside, helping with parking and greeting. They have been fantastic.”

Maryport had a 101-year-old man attend one of the first clinic, but was beaten by Cockermouth’s 102-year-old, Isabel Morgan, who was vaccinated at the Dalton Care Home where she is a resident.

Both Cockermouth and Maryport held large clinics on what turned out to be two of the coldest days of the year.

Castlegate practice manager Julie Bates also thanked the volunteers who had helped throughout the day without complaint.

Both surgeries are hoping to resume vaccinating before the end of the month.

However, Mrs Steel said no date would be announced until they were sure they were getting the vaccination.

People will be notified the surgeries said.