BURNLEY MP Antony Higginbotham has welcomed the Government's £300million cash boost to support community pharmacies during coronavirus crisis.

The extra funding will support local chemist shops across England, including those in Burnley and East Lancashire, to provide critical services to protect community health, including supplying medicines and providing medical advice to patients.

Mr Higginbotham said: “Coronavirus has placed enormous pressure on our community pharmacies, which is why I am really pleased the government is giving them a £300m boost.

“Whilst businesses have been instructed to remain closed – pharmacies are an important exception. They can remain continue to operate as normally as possible. For people who shielding or self-isolating, pharmacies can deliver prescriptions to their door, so everyone can get the medicine they need without breaching social distancing.”

The government paid out £200m on April 1 and a further £100m will be allocated on May 1.