Sefton Council’s SMART coronavirus testing centre at Aintree Racecourse will be closed until Sunday 11^th April. This is while the course’s Grand National meeting takes place.

The borough’s two other SMART testing centres, at Bootle Leisure Centre and Splash World in Southport, will be open as normal from 8am to 8pm every day.

SMART tests are for key workers and those with caring commitments during the current lockdown. They can provide a result in around 30 minutes and can help prevent the accidental spread of coronavirus by people not showing symptoms. No appointments are necessary.

Anyone who gets a positive SMART test result or who develops the coronavirus symptoms  – a new persistent cough, high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell – should immediately book a PCR test at a local test site.

Local test sites are located opposite Bootle Town Hall, at Crosby Library car park, Southport Town Hall and Netherton Activity Centre. Tests can be booked by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus