TALKS have begun about how the thousands of new coronavirus tests heading to Warrington might be used.

The government announced last week that Warrington will be one of more than 60 local authorities across the country to get the tests.

The authority will get 10,000 at first, although they have not yet arrived in town.

With rapid results in around 30 minutes, discussions are under way about who should have access to the first batch of tests.

Unlike current testing, it would not be restricted to those showing symptoms of coronavirus.

Public health officials at Warrington Borough Council are considering a list of priorities about which groups of people will have first access to the tests.

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead said residents in care homes, staff, visitors, workers at Warrington Hospital, other emergency service personnel and key workers will be tested before the general public.

He expects around 10,000 tests a week to be delivered to Warrington when the programme starts so thought will then have to be given about how the general public can get access to tests.

The new antigen lateral flow devices give results in under an hour, helping to track down people who have the virus without knowing it and could be spreading it.

When he announced it last week, health secretary Matt Hancock said it could be key in the fight against coronavirus.

He added: "Mass testing is a vital tool to help us control this virus and get life more normal."