THE places in Colchester worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed in the first annual toll of the virus.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows people living in the poorest areas are more likely to die from the disease.

Crowded living conditions and low-paid jobs are among the factors, claims the Institute of Health Equity, which says lives could have been saved if better safety measures were imposed.

In the past year, 331 people in Colchester died due to Covid-19, according to the ONS figures – a rate of 190 per 100,000 people.

The peak month for deaths was January when 103 were recorded.

The figures also show which of Colchester's 20 neighbourhoods saw the most and fewest deaths of residents over the 12-month period.

Factors behind a larger number can include the number of care homes in a particular area.

The neighbourhoods with the highest number of deaths are:

1. Parson's Heath – 39 deaths due to Covid-19

2. Central Colchester – 36

3. Stanway – 31

The neighbourhoods with the fewest number of deaths:

1. Abbey Field – 5

2. Lexden – 8

3. Shrub End –9

3. Wivenhoe and University –9