Covid-19 testing staff are being recruited across the county as efforts to test people who are not showing symptoms are stepped up.

Leicestershire County Council has a stock of rapid-test kits to use to drive down transmission in areas where there are high infection rates.

Now, the authority is looking to recruit casual staff to help launch and run the operation.

The kits – lateral flow tests – are offered to people who are not showing symptoms. Results are returned on the same day and, in some cases, within 30 minutes.

With up to one in three people showing no signs of having the virus, the rapid-test sites aim to root out and identify those who might be passing it on without realising.

The role of casual testing assistant pays £10.20 an hour and shifts on offer include Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7.30pm, 7.30am to 1.30pm and 1.30pm to 7.30pm, while Saturday and Sunday shifts run from 9.30am to 5pm.

Full training and personal protective equipment will be provided.

The advert states: "To increase testing for Covid-19 the Government has introduced rapid lateral flow tests for individuals who are asymptomatic (no symptoms).

"Leicestershire will be rolling out lateral flow testing and you can support our residents by assisting with the delivery and operation of self-administered testing at our covid-secure mobile testing sites."

Main duties include supporting people who attend for tests, building test kits, processing tests, inputting results and 'deep cleaning'.

Vacancies are available across Leicestershire.

The council opened its first site in Wigston earlier this month after the area experienced high rates.

The job description says those interested in applying should be able to stand for long periods of time, have good communication skills and be willing to work outside.

For more details or to apply, click HERE.