A SECOND local coronavirus testing site open in Wirral tomorrow following a "sharp increase" in the number of positive results across the borough.

Situated in the car park off Civic Way in Bebington, the facility will have 12 testing bays that will accommodate approximately 288 tests per day.

It is opening in addition to the new LTS in Birkenhead that opened on Saturday.

Opening times will be:

Wednesday: 2-5pm

Thursday: 10am-5pm

Friday: 8am-8pm, seven days per week.

Users will be asked to self-swab when attending. LTS appointments can be booked at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Alternatively, you can attend without an appointment.

This has been reflected in the demand for testing in the borough which has resulted in long waits for some at testing centres.

Director of public health for Wirral Julie Webster said: "We apologise for the long wait for coronavirus tests many people are currently experiencing.

"Demand for tests has increased as local people have stepped up to try and head off the rise in cases that we've seen in the last few weeks.

"We are doing all we can to add more testing capacity in more of our town centres so that we can meet this demand.

"The mobile testing site is at Europa Leisure Centre and Liscard Seaview Road Car Park by appointment only this week as well as the new Hamilton Building car park site and we are also set to open a new local testing site in Bebington on Wednesday afternoon.

"Although the Local testing sites have capacity to accept walk-ins we would recommend people book an appointment to guarantee a time slot."

Demand for tests follows a further rise of 81 recorded coronavirus cases in Wirral over the weekend.

Public Health England figures show 2,391 people have been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19, since the pandemic began, by 9am today in Wirral, up from 2,290 the same time on Friday.

It means the rate of infection in Wirral now stands at 738 cases per 100,000 people, far higher than the England average of 540.

The LTS in Birkenhead is situated in Hamilton Building car park, Conway Street and open 8am-8pm seven days per week.

LTS are self-testing centres staffed by private contractors and are a walk-through facility. People will need to walk or cycle to the testing site. They should not use public transport and should wear a mask while travelling.

Arrangements have been put in place to manage visitors to the site, ensuring full social distancing and safety measures. If local businesses or residents have any questions or concerns they can email: covid19testing@wirral.gov.uk

The mobile coronavirus testing units are also walk through and available by appointment only this week:

Europa Leisure Centre, Birkenhead: 10am-3.30pm daily until Saturday.

Liscard Municipal Car Park (Seaview Road): Wednesday and Thursday from 10am-3.30pm.

The Wirral Satellite Testing Centre based at Bidston station park and ride is set to close on Friday.

For the latest information and to book a test visit www.wirral.gov.uk/test

You can also book tests via www.gov.uk