A POP-UP coronavirus testing hub has opened in Bramley, after one case of the South African variant of the virus was identified there.

The testing site, situated in the car park of the Bramley Inn on Sherfield Road, is being run in addition to the door-to-door testing being carried out in the area.

A team of ten employees from the company Mitie are manning the site, which offers local people an alternative testing route, for example if they are not at home when the tests are being delivered in their area.

No appointment is needed and, following a walk-in test, participants can register online to receive their results. 

Posting on Facebook on Tuesday evening, Cllr Nick Robinson (Conservative, Bramley and Sherfield) confirmed that testing would begin in the area today (Wedenesday February 17). 

He said: "Door-to-door testing in Bramley starts tomorrow (Wednesday) and will last until Friday.

"The test is FREE and voluntary. All operatives will have hi viz and ID.

"There is also a mobile test unit in the Bramley Inn car park open from 9.30am until 3.30pm."

Despite the rain, staff at the mobile site said they had welcomed a "steady" flow of people today.

Bramley residents Chris and Christophe Van Vyve decided to go to the pop-up testing centre on their daily walk. 

Chris said: “We want to help. There’s no point in staying at home and suffering and then not doing your bit when it comes to it.”

Joe Gregory and Dawn Jennings, also from Bramley, also chose to visit the pop up site. 

Dawn said: “I wanted to get it done. We live right at the end of our street so I thought they may not get to us by 7.”

Joe, a self-employed estate agent, added: “I have to go into work tomorrow and Friday so I thought I might not be in when they knock on the door.

"Speaking personally, I’m not at all concerned or worried, I just think it’s the right thing to do.”

Staff at the site were unable to confirm to the Gazette their schedule in Bramley for the coming days.