The Creekmoor Park and Ride site in Poole, which has been a COVID-19 testing facility since April 2020, will remain open until March next year.

Cllr Nicola Greene, portfolio holder for the COVID response, said: “I am pleased we have extended the licence arrangement in place with the Department for Health and Social Care to enable this vital service to be run from the Creekmoor Park and Ride site in Poole. We know many thousands of people have used the facility and it makes sense for it to continue as we approach the colder weather. My thanks to the ward councillors who have been fully supportive of the plans.”

Rachel Partridge, assistant director of Public Health at Public Health Dorset, said: “We welcome the news that this testing facility will remain in place for local people to use as we continue to live with COVID-19. It is important that anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 self-isolates and gets tested, so please do book a test online or by calling 119 if you need one.”

Extended use of the facility for COVID testing means the location will not be available for the Christmas park and ride service.