Fast vaccine roll-out and increased testing will offer the hope of swift release from lockdown, according to West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin.

The local health team is rolling out vaccinations to vulnerable groups at lightning speed and over 90 per cent of people aged over 80 in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have received their first jab.

This week, extra testing capacity is being added with local people without symptoms able to take a fast lateral flow test with results available in just 15 minutes.

The MP praised the efforts of the local county council and health teams which have rolled out extensive testing and vaccines to help slow the spread of coronavirus across Worcestershire.

The latest testing centre has been opened up at Pershore Leisure Centre and local people can pre-book appointments by visiting the county council website at www.worcestershire.gov.uk/LateralFlowTesting.

Harriett said: “The vaccination programme continues to go well and more and more people in the vulnerable groups have received their first jab. I want to thank all the people who are working at the vaccination centres doing an amazing job.

“Hand in hand with this effort is an increase in testing and people can now get tests with the results within minutes if they need to.

“The combination of increased testing and vaccinations gives local people hope that we can hold the spread of the virus and allow schools and the economy to reopen as soon as possible.

“And with local vaccination capacity growing by the day, I am confident we’ll be able to get more people jabbed in the weeks to come and offer hope of fewer restrictions very soon.”