Setting up shop on Broadway in the town centre, members of the Military have been deployed to Accrington to facilitate training and a new testing system, open to frontline and key workers in Hyndburn who do not have any symptoms of Covid-19.

The test site, located at Unit 4 on Broadway, is open all those who have to leave their house for their work, including essential workers such as Taxi drivers. There are no appointments needed and the facility is open Monday to Friday 9:30am until 4pm.

Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said:

“Lateral flow testing is a very welcome addition to our existing test sites. This facility is for people who do not have symptoms and for those would like reassurance that they are not unknowingly carrying the virus as they leave their houses to work.”

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Davies, Commanding Officer of UK Resilience Unit 13 said:

“A team of mine are here helping to firstly test some of the local population but more importantly we are involved in training some of the local council staff and volunteers who are going to take over from us. Once the Army have gone the council staff can then keep a sustainable solution to testing the local population and stop the spread of the virus.

“The soldiers themselves are really good at delivering lessons. Part of their training is to become instructors so they’re quite adept at doing this kind of work.

“We have been really welcomed by everyone we’ve worked with; this is a multi-organisational operation, and we are just one part of it. It has been a pleasure to work alongside our civilian counterparts who have looked after us particularly well and made us feel very welcome.”

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn said:

“It is really great we now have a testing site here in Hyndburn and we welcome the army to train our volunteers and local council staff. We will be seeing them in our town and in our borough for a few weeks, it’s just brilliant we now have these resources here in Hyndburn and I hope lots of our essential workers make use of this offer.

“I would like to remind people that if they do have symptoms of coronavirus this is not the place to attend and instead, they should go to one of our other two facilities at Eastgate or in Great Harwood, appointments for these sites can be booked by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council added:

“It is very important business engage and send their staff, to make sure key workers and those who need their workforce in place can continue to work. It is very easy, and results are available quickly, please utilise this facility which is brought to you through military assistance, volunteers and the council.”

“Can I also thank all the organisations who made this possible today and for the forthcoming weeks and months ahead of us.”