Preston’s community coronavirus testing centres have closed early for the second day running.

Visitors to the city centre reported seeing queues of up to 100 people waiting to be tested at the market test site.

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Preston City Council confirmed the centres at the Market and Moor Park Avenue would close early to allow those waiting in the queue to have their swabs taken before the 3pm deadline.

Meanwhile, essential workers in the city who have at least one symptom of coronavirus were unable to book tests through the Government’s testing scheme.

Preston currently has the fifth highest rate of new infections in the country, with the infection rate rising to over 100 positive tests per 100,000 people.

Local restrictions remain in place which restrict the mixing of households indoors or outdoors.

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said: “The national situation surrounding testing is clearly having an impact on our community testing sites and has resulted in the need to prioritise

“Preston residents, due to our current infection rates and local restrictions. Over the last week or so we have seen a significant rise in demand at the two community testing sites based in Preston, with record numbers of attendance yesterday of 624 tests conducted.

“While hosted by Preston City Council, these sites are administered by the Director of Public Health at Lancashire County Council, whose advice and lead we have followed throughout the pandemic.

“We are in regular dialogue about the management, promotion and location of these sites and are working together to deliver the best outcome we are able in the current circumstances.”

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