PEOPLE have been turned away from a coronavirus testing site after it stopped accepting walk-ins.

Police said that "numerous people" had been told they could not get a test at the Corporation Park testing site ­— and urged people to book online.

It comes as the council last week changed its advice on residents going for covid tests meaning they now have to register and book in advance.

Earlier today police spoke to staff at the Corporation Park testing site.

They took to social media urging people to not to turn up unless they had an appointed.

Blackburn with Darwen Police stated: £We have just been through the park and spoken to the staff, please be aware this is no longer a 'walk in' site.

"If you have symptoms please pre- book online. Numerous people have already been turned away today and the Park itself is quite busy."

Now only people showing Covid–19 symptoms should attend Blackburn with Darwen’s five testing sites with a pre-booked appointment.

The borough has testing stations at Old Bank Lane outside the Royal Blackburn Hospital, Penny Street car park, Corporation Park, on Blackburn College car park and at Darwen’s Railway Road car park.

The NHS Test and Trace system come under fire for its its online booking system which tries to direct people to test centres more than 100 miles away.

Some people with coronavirus symptoms who try to book a test online are directed to centres which would take them more than an hour to reach by car.

Some have said they have a spent a hours booking an appointment before walking to a nearby centre.