A drive-in testing centre is due to open for frontline NHS workers.

The centre at London Stansted will open as part of the government's UK-wide drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS workers.

The site will operate on an appointment basis in up to five lanes in one of the main long stay-car parks, for self-isolating key NHS workers, or the symptomatic member of their family.

These workers will be selected and contacted directly by their NHS trust.

London Stansted CEO, Ken O'Toole said: "I am very proud that London Stansted has been able to play a small but vital part in supporting the government's drive to test more and more frontline NHS staff by making available one of our main long stay-car parks.

"During the pandemic we have been in constant contact with the government and have looked to play our part in the response when and where possible, including facilitating repatriation flights to get people home and hosting more essential cargo flights to bring in vital medical supplies, medicines and food.

"I'd also like to say a huge thank you to all of the teams, both here at the airport and within the Department for Health and Social Care, who have moved very quickly to make this possible."

This facility follows the launch of the governments partnership with universities, research institutes and companies to being rollout of the network of labs and testing sites.

So far 13 new sites have opened across the UK.

The centres provide thousands more PCR swab tests, which are used to identify if you currently have the virus, starting with NHS front line staff.

Health Minister, Lord Bethell said: "The government is rapidly scaling up the national effort to boost testing capacity to protect the vulnerable, support the NHS and ultimately save lives.

"This new service will help end the uncertainty of whether NHS and social care staff need to stay at home meaning those who test negative will be able to return to work."