QUICKFIRE tests for coronavirus are coming to Bury, it has been confirmed.

Bury is one of the 66 local authority areas which will see the lateral flows tests rolled out.

Cllr Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We have said from the outset that a proper test, track and trace system is essential if we are to identify those with the virus and drive down the infection rate.

"We will certainly be wanting mass testing to come to Bury and are working with our GM partners to bring it here.”

She added: “We’ve already opened a number of walk-in and drive-through testing centres across the borough to make it easier for local people to be tested, and will shortly open another one in Ramsbottom.”

Bury North MP James Daly confirmed the rapid turnaround regime has been pencilled in for the borough.

Mr Daly said: "The Government has announced Bury is to receive lateral flow rapid Covid-19 testing.

"These new tests, which we outlined by Brigadier Joe Fossey at yesterday's news briefing, do not require a lab to give results and have a turnaround time of one hour."

Tests will be sent out by NHS Test and Trace to public health teams like Bury's.

Programmes can then be established at a local level, as public health directors reach batches of 10,000 antigen lateral flow devices to carry out the work.

Weekly allocations of further kits will then follow.

Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: "Last week we rolled out mass testing in Liverpool using new, rapid technology so we can detect this virus quicker than ever before, even in people who don’t have symptoms.

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

"I am delighted to say 10,000 of these tests will now be sent out by NHS Test and Trace to over 50 directors of public health as part of our asymptomatic testing strategy.

"I want to thank all directors of public health for their support and efforts over the past months to help us tackle this virus, bring it under control and get the country back to what we love doing.

"This rollout will further develop the evidence base for how testing with fast, reliable Covid-19 tests can be delivered at scale.

"Local leaders will also benefit from a more accurate picture of the number of cases in their area, by picking up those who may not have symptoms, supporting local decision-making to manage the spread of the virus and support their communities."