More than 42,000 people in Powys have now had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The chief executive of Powys Teaching Health Board confirmed the milestone and described it as a "tremendous achievement".

Almost a third of the county's population has received a first dose since the vaccination programme started in early December.

Ninety per cent of people in the top four priority groups have been offered a jab. They include people aged 70 and over, frontline health and care workers, and adults who are “clinically extremely vulnerable”.

Hefina Anwyl, from Staylittle, received her vaccine at Maldwyn Leisure Centre in Newtown on Wednesday, January 20. Pic: Powys Teaching Health Board

Hefina Anwyl, from Staylittle, received her vaccine at Maldwyn Leisure Centre in Newtown on Wednesday, January 20. Pic: Powys Teaching Health Board

Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive, Powys Teaching Health Board, said: "This achievement will help to show that we are able to deliver such a massive programme at very quick pace, and at scale right across Powys, and this is being delivered really successfully.

"Even though we have the challenges of geography, of the winter, of snow, this has been a tremendous achievement.

"I just want to thank everyone who has been part of delivering these vaccines; whether you have been at the frontline carrying out the injections, or whether you have been part of the huge and magnificent array of support that has been put in place to make this happen."

Second dose appointments will begin this week for people who received their first dose at the start of the vaccination programme, which began around 11 weeks ago, in line with the approach agreed across the UK.