A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility is to open at a University of Greenwich campus amid a backdrop of national testing shortages and rising infection rates.

The new local testing site is located at the university's Chatham campus, in front of a the Jellicoe Building car par, and local residents will be able to book by appointment.

The university said it was proud to be hosting the site, "affirming its commitment to go do all it can do to help in the national effort during this year's pandemic."

It also states that significant changes are in place to protest everyone at all three of its campuses.

The new testing site will open from Thursday (2pm to 5pm), Friday (10am to 5pm) and Saturday (8am to 8pm).

There will be clear signage around the campus directing those coming in to the testing centre via a socially distanced route, and patients will be directed to leave as soon as they are finished.

There are further rules for those attending for a test; no travelling there by public transport, practice good personal hygiene, follow social distancing and wear a face covering throughout.

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms, however mild, can get a free swab test that takes less than a minute. Tests should be booked or ordered as soon as symptoms begin at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 and you can expect your result the next day.

There has been a reported shortage of Covid-19 tests nationally in recent weeks, causing the Government to issue an apology at the start of the month.

Scientists have sounded the alarm about rising coronavirus cases, yet hundreds of people reported being unable to organise a test, or being directed hundreds of miles to another testing centre only to find them also without tests.

Greenwich has been one of those hit badly by the shortages, with a number of cases of people being told to travel elsewhere for tests due to a local shortage.

One resident was even directed to rural Wales for his closest available centre, leading to Greenwich Council's leader slamming Public Heath England. He recently called for coronavirus testing to be handed over from the Government to councils.