A new walk-through coronavirus testing site has opened in Maidstone.

The facility in the Shepway Youth and Community Centre Car Park in Cumberland Avenue is one of 344 walk-through centres to open in the UK and started testing on Wednesday, November 25.

It is only open to those who have symptoms and is designed to make testing more accessible to those without cars.

It comes as part of the government's plan to increase testing across the countries worst affected areas and new appointments will be made available each day.

Anyone with a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste, can book a slot by visiting the government's online portal or by calling 119.

Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark said: “In order to play our full part in reducing the spread of the virus we are ensuring that Kent and Medway have scaled up our capacity to test people for Covid-19.

“We fully support the opening of a new local test site in Shepway and welcome anything that helps to reduce the community infection rate. "

"It is important that people help to ‘Protect Kent and Medway’ by continuing to follow national guidance if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 and access tests in their local area as quickly as possible and take the right action to recover or quickly get treatment.”

Cllr Martin Cox, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council said: “We are pleased to be able to support this new walk in testing centre which will make it easier for Maidstone residents to get tested when asked to do so.

"Anything that can help reduce the likelihood of spreading Covid-19 in Maidstone is a real benefit.”

The testing centre is being operated in partnership with G4S and will offer self-administered tests.

Ministers believe ramping up tests across the country could see Kent move out of tier three.

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