A new COVID-19 PCR test centre will open near Teddington next month.

The centre will be based at the games area on Bramble Lane in Hampton, near the White House Community Centre.

It opens on 3 December and has been set up by Richmond Council to help ease pressure on the NHS over winter - and in response to high covid-19 case rates in the borough.

Other PCR test centres in Richmond borough include the Teddington centre on Broom Road and the mobile testing unit at Old Deer Park.

Council leader Gareth Roberts said: "Levels of COVID-19 in Richmond upon Thames remain higher than the London average.

"As we move into the winter months, pressure is growing on the NHS.

"Therefore, it is vital we test people with symptoms to help stop the spread of the virus and protect our community.

"Finding cases and asking these people to self-isolate is key to breaking the chains of transmission, so we can keep Richmond upon Thames safe.

"It remains vital that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms gets tested. By increasing the testing capacity within our borough through this new site, we want to make it easier for all residents who have symptoms to access a test quickly."

More information about the new centre

The new site will be open seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm. There will be security on site 24 hours a day.

The site is only accessible for visitors arriving on foot or by bike.

The entrance is via Bramble Lane NOT the White House Community Centre, which will be open as normal. Anyone displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or has a positive lateral flow test is reminded not to enter the community centre.

Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practicing good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at the new walk-through site will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely when they book their test.

How to book a PCR test at the centre

To get a test at the centre visitors must book an appointment first by using the new NHS Covid-19 app, online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

PCR tests are available to those with coronavirus symptoms including a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste.

They can also be taken by anyone who has tested positive via a lateral flow test, or have been asked to get a test, which could be by NHS Test and Trace if they're a close contact of a positive case, by a clinician or their local authority, by a testing pilot or via their work.

Instead of self-isolating, those who are fully vaccinated and under 18s identified as close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases are advised to get a free PCR test as soon as possible.