Wirral learner drivers needing to take their theory test will have to travel to Liverpool to do so from August.

Driving Standards Agency has announced its test centre in Birkenhead will close and merge with the centre in Liverpool.

The agency says it is not "cost effective" to keep Wirral's test centre open.

Birkenhead test centre has the capacity to carry out more than 20,000 tests each year, but last year conducted fewer than 7,000.

DSA chief executive Rosemary Thew said: "DSA relies for income on the fees we receive from our customers so we have a duty to spend that money responsibly while maintaining a good level of service.

"As the theory test centres in Birkenhead and Liverpool both have spare capacity it is not cost effective to keep both centres running."

Theory and practical test centres are entirely separate and delivery of the practical test remains unaffected.

The Birkenhead centre will close on August 31.