The North West Leicestershire Covid vaccination hub is to be based at Measham Leisure Centre has been given the go-ahead to begin next week.

Vaccinations are by appointment only, according to the Long Lane surgery in Coalville who confirmed on Friday afternoon that its over-80s patients were being contacted.

A post on the Long Lane Surgery Facebook page says: "Currently all patients in North West Leicestershire will be vaccinated out of the one central hub at Measham Leisure Centre.

"This is due to the logistical issues of vaccine delivery, storage, reconstitution, the importance of utilising the full vaccine vial, and the observing period of 15 minutes post vaccination.

"All local surgeries in North West Leicestershire have united to provide the vaccine together and we are really proud of the dedication and commitment from the NWL PCN and every NWL GP Surgery.

"The approval of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will hopefully accelerate a more local vaccine programme in the future.

"Please be aware staff from the surgery will need to be working at the vaccine hub to provide the vaccine, this means there will be reduced availability at the surgery.

"Please be kind to staff still at the surgery as this will put extra pressure on those in the surgery covering normal duties."

Ashby's Castle Medical Centre added a post in its Facebook page on Friday evening confirming they were in the process of contacting the over-80s age group.

It reads: "We are noticing an increase in phone calls in relation to the Covid Vaccination and to support the practice we would ask patients NOT to ring us at this time about this.

"We are now in the process of contacting eligible patients to book an appointment for you and the first cohort of patients we have been asked to arrange vaccinations for are those over 80 years of age.

"Please note that the appointments for the vaccine will be provided at a local hub, and not at the practice at this time.

"We will provide all details when we make the appointment for you.

"Once we have completed patients in this age range we will then move to those in the next priority group."