A textile manufacturer in West Yorkshire has been hit by a coronavirus outbreak, it was confirmed today.

A number of staff at Ulster Yarns, based at Ravensthorpe Mills, Dewsbury, have tested positive for Covid-19.

It is the latest of a number of large factories in north Kirklees to suffer outbreaks in recent months after firms in Cleckheaton, Batley and Liversedge were previously affected.

Five large-scale Kirklees firms to have been hit by coronavirus outbreaks

Just before 6pm today, a joint statement was issued on behalf of Kirklees Council, Public Health England and Ulster Yarns

It read: "Kirklees Council and Public Health England are working with Ulster Yarns after a number of its staff at its Ravensthorpe Mills site tested positive for Covid-19. The staff who tested positive are now recovering at home.

"Following the report of cases by Ulster Yarns to Public Health England and Kirklees Council a mutual decision has been made for all staff to be tested at a Mobile Testing Unit which will be set up on site this week. The company will continue to operate with a reduced workforce during the daytime under ongoing safety protocols in line with Government guidance.

"Anyone else who may have come into contact with the cases outside of work will be followed up by NHS Test and Trace - they may be advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

"While the risk to residents from this outbreak is very low, everyone in Kirklees should continue to socially distance, wash hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water and get tested if they have symptoms."