We tried to book a coronavirus test in different areas of East Lancashire to see how easy it was for people around the county.

Over the weekend, Blackburn has moved second in the list of areas around the country with the highest coronavirus rates.

The numbers have nearly doubled to 118.2 cases per 100,000 (177 new cases) on September 10 from 61.5 cases per 100,000 (92 new cases) on September 3.

Using postcodes from all around the region, we found that even though some postcodes would offer a test at a drive through or walk in site, most would only allow us to book a home test kit.

We did not complete the bookings of any coronavirus tests and this was for research purposes only.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Blackburn

In Blackburn, we tried three times to book a test, once at 10am, once at midday and once again at 12.30pm.

When booking at 10am, we were hit with a screen stating that the site was ‘busy’ and to ‘try again later’.

When trying at midday, we were able to book a home testing kit, and when trying again at 12.30, we were able to book a test at the Royal Blackburn drive through test site, and the ACE Centre Nelson walk through test site.

Darwen

When trying to book a test in Darwen, we tried twice, once at 10am and once again at 12.15pm.

We were unable to book a slot at any drive in or walk through testing sites, but at 12.15pm we were offered a home testing kit.

Accrington

In Accrington, we were again hit at 10am with the ‘busy’ screen so we tried again to book a test at 12.15pm.

Lancashire Telegraph:

This time, we were able to book a home testing kit, but no sites were available for walk in or drive through testing.

Burnley

When booking a test in Burnley, we tried three times, once at 10am, once at 11am and once at 12.15pm.

Our third attempt was a success however, even though there is a test centre in Burnley, we were only able to order a home testing kit.

Bacup

In Bacup, we tried to book a coronavirus test three times, once at 10.15am, once at 11.45am and once again at 12.15pm.

Our first two attempts were unsuccessful, however our third attempt we were offered a home testing kit.

Colne

In Colne, we tried to book a test at 10am and again at midday.

At 10am, as we were with every postcode, we were hit with the screen stating the ‘site is busy’.

Lancashire Telegraph:

When we tried to book at midday, we were able to either order a test kit or book for a drive through test at Royal Blackburn Hospital test site.

The site stated that the Royal Blackburn Hospital was 14.6 miles from our post code, but google maps shows it to be 16.2 miles.

Nelson

In Nelson, we tried to book a test at 10.15am and again at 12.30pm and we were successful in our second attempt.

When booking a test at 12.30pm, we were able to book at a drive through test site in Doncaster which the site said was 51.6 miles away from the post code entered, however on google maps, it states it is 52.3 miles from the postcode entered.

It did however state that the walk-in site on Railway Road Car Park in Darwen was only 0.2 miles away, which when we checked, it was 17 miles away.