New Covid testing centre opens in Preston

Preston City Council said the new facility is now open in Moor Park Avenue and will stay open "for the next few days", but did not provide an exact time-frame.

It said testing is available to those with symptoms who book a test via the NHS on 119.

A city council spokesman said: "While both the vaccination roll-out and roadmap announced by the Government offer hope for the coming months, it is important that we continue to stay home and follow the restrictions until they are lifted.

"It is also even more vital than ever that any of us who feels unwell, particularly with the now well-known symptoms, gets tested and self-isolates as necessary.

"The rates are going down, but Preston continues to have higher rates than those of our neighbours and many other areas in the country.

"We need the whole community in Preston to help lower the rate so that we don't have any delays on the national lifting of restrictions."

Council leader Matthew Brown added: "Really pleased in Preston there will be a new mobile Covid-19 testing site available at Moor Park Avenue. We must bring infection rates down and this is a welcome addition with rates comparatively high."