The North West Leicestershire Covid vaccination hub is to be based at Measham Leisure Centre has been given the go-ahead to begin next week.

Vaccinations are by appointment only, according to the Long Lane surgery in Coalville who confirmed on Friday afternoon that its over-80s patients were being contacted.

A post on the Long Lane Surgery Facebook page says: "Currently all patients in North West Leicestershire will be vaccinated out of the one central hub at Measham Leisure Centre.

"This is due to the logistical issues of vaccine delivery, storage, reconstitution, the importance of utilising the full vaccine vial, and the observing period of 15 minutes post vaccination.

"All local surgeries in North West Leicestershire have united to provide the vaccine together and we are really proud of the dedication and commitment from the NWL PCN and every NWL GP Surgery.

"The approval of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will hopefully accelerate a more local vaccine programme in the future.

"Please be aware staff from the surgery will need to be working at the vaccine hub to provide the vaccine, this means there will be reduced availability at the surgery.

"Please be kind to staff still at the surgery as this will put extra pressure on those in the surgery covering normal duties."