As people are struggling to book tests up and down the country with people being sent hundreds of miles for tests, many are unsure as to how to get a test closer to home.

East Lancashire has 12 testing sites, three of which don't require you to have an appointment to attend.

The walk-in test centres allow people in areas of high risk including Accrington to get a test at community based hubs, with most sites operating with capacity of over 200 tests per day.

Yesterday, Matt Hancock blamed the struggles with the UK's testing system on people around the country getting a test when they were not showing symptoms, however the Department for Health and Social Care have stated that this does not include those in high risk areas.

As areas of Lancashire remain near the top of the list, councils are encouraging people to be tested across the county.

Neil Jack, chair of the Lancashire Resilience Forum's regional co-ordination group for testing, said: "The Department for Health and Social Care provides two Regional Testing Sites, one in Preston and one in Blackburn.

"They also provide six Mobile Testing Units, which the Lancashire Resilience Forum can direct, based on assessments from the Directors of Public Health.

"The LRF is prioritising areas with the highest case numbers in Lancashire, while also seeking to provide capacity across Lancashire.

"Current national laboratory capacity means that the DHSC has limited access to testing at the RTUs and MTUs, reducing the number of available slots.

"We are working with them to try to access more laboratory capacity for Lancashire."

Test centres available in East Lancashire:

Blackburn with Darwen

Old Bank Lane outside Royal Blackburn Hospital: Permanent test centre. Appointment required. This site operates between 8am–8pm seven days a week

Blackburn College car park, Blackburn: Walk-in test centre. Appointment required. This site operates between 8am–8pm seven days a week

Railway Road car park, Darwen: Walk-in test centre. Appointment required. This site operates between 8am–8pm seven days a week. Parking is not available on site. Free parking is available nearby on Knott Street, Atlas Road or Darwen Market Roof Top.

Penny Street car park, Blackburn: Mobile test centre. Appointment required. This site operates between 11am-6pm seven days a week.

Corporation Park, Preston New Road, Blackburn: Mobile test centre. Appointment required. The testing site is situated close to the gatehouse on Preston New Road. It operates between 11am – 6pm seven days a week. The entrance for vehicles is on West Park Road and the exit leads out onto Preston New Road. Pedestrians can access the testing site from Preston New Road.

Hyndburn

BEHIND Hyndburn Leisure Centre on the top carpark: Drive-in test centre. Appointment required. It is available for people who have one or more symptoms of coronavirus.

Scaitcliffe Community Centre, Hannah Street, Accrington: Walk-in test centre. No appointment needed. This test centre is open from 10am – 2:45pm to anyone with or without symptoms.

Accrington Town Hall, Blackburn Road, Accrington: Walk-in test centre. No appointment needed. This test centre is open from 10am – 2:45pm to anyone with or without symptoms. THIS CENTRE IS RE-LOCATING ON MONDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER

Burnley

OPPOSITE Burnley bus station on Centenary Way, between Gala Bingo and Tesco: Walk-in test centre. No appointment needed. This test centre is open from 10am – 3pm, seven days a week to anyone with or without symptoms. Children can attend this site.

Pendle

Former Fairground Site, Carr Road, Nelson: Mobile test centre. Appointment required. This site operates between 11am-6pm seven days a week. CLOSING 13TH SEPTEMBER

Station Hotel, Broadway, Nelson: Mobile test centre. Appointment required. This site operates between 11am-6pm seven days a week. CLOSING 13TH SEPTEMBER

The ACE Centre, Cross Street, Nelson: Permanent test centre. Appointment required. Open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.