Extra Covid testing is being offered to people living four areas close to Coalville after infection rates rose sharply in recent weeks.

More than 13,000 rapid community tests for Covid-19 have now been taken, across the county's seven sites.

Testing for all those who cannot work from home is being offered six days a week at centres including Swannington and Loughborough.

But now, Leicestershire County Council says testing is also available to everyone living in Greenhill, Hugglescote, Snibston and Whitwick - even to those who work from home.

The council says this is because rates of infection are higher in these areas.

Now schools are reopening, twice-weekly tests at the sites are also open to households and bubbles of school pupils and staff.

So far, 13,143 tests have been carried out across the seven Leicestershire sites, and a total of 153 people have tested positive for Covid-19 – despite having no symptoms.

Positive tests have been recorded at every one of the district testing locations.

In North West Leicestershire, 1.8 per cent of rapid tests are coming back positive, compared with the county average of 1.2% - while 10 per cent of tests are showing as positive among people with symptoms.

One in three people who have coronavirus show no symptoms, and rapid lateral flow testing, led by the council's public health team, can help to quickly identify individuals and stop the spread of infection.

Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "Rapid testing of those without symptoms is a vital part of the fight against Covid-19 and the fact that we have seen over 150 people test positive despite having no symptoms proves just how important it is.

"The fact that those 153 people tested positive and then went into self-isolation, saved many more people in Leicestershire becoming infected.

"Without the lateral flow tests, these people would have been completely unaware they had the virus and could have gone on to spread it to work colleagues, family and the wider public. It has been good to see so many people attending regularly for testing and I would urge others to do the same.

"I'd also like to thank all the staff who are working so hard to ensure that our testing sites run smoothly and efficiently."

The lateral flow tests are self-administered at an approved test site – and you can leave the site straight after you have taken your swab.

Results will be sent out by text or email by the end of that day. Sites will be open six days each week.

Anyone who is eligible for the tests can book HERE.