A drive-through coronavirus testing facility is being set up at Twickenham Stadium in order to test NHS and other key workers.

Part of a new network of testing sites, the iconic stadium, which typically has a 82,000 capacity when hosting matches and events, will be used to test workers for Covid-19 using new PCR swab tests.

Running as a pilot service for the first few days of operation, the appointment-only facility will see NHS and other key workers tested in a drive-through format.

So far, 32 new testing facilities have opened in the UK, including outside the O2 Arena in Greenwich and IKEA in Wembley.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Health Minister Lord Bethell said: "The Government is rapidly scaling up the national effort to boost testing capacity for coronavirus to protect the vulnerable, support our NHS, and ultimately save lives.

"This new service will help end the uncertainty of whether NHS and social care staff and other key workers need to stay at home, meaning those who test negative will be able to return to work."

The RFU was "pleased to be able to support the COVID-19 drive-through testing programme", said chief executive Bill Sweeney.

The number of daily tests has increased from around 5,000 a day to more than 20,000, but the government has promised to ramp up capacity to 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month.