A vaccination centre, based at Exmouth’s tennis and fitness centre, continues to be a ‘huge success’ inoculating as many as 1,000 people a day.

The centre was set up in December by the NHS in partnership with LED Community Leisure and has received positive feedback and reviews from the community.

LED said the vaccination centre will continue to operate, despite the the fitness and tennis centre’s temporary closure with separate entrances and exits to ensure the safety of those getting vaccines and the staff.

On arrival, volunteer stewards are on site to help with parking and directions and a new one-way parking system has been introduced to allow easy flow in and out.

LED area manager Simon Findel-Hawkins said: "LED were approached in December 2020 by the NHS to work in partnership and transform one tennis court into a vaccination centre for the community.

“The centre was transformed within a week and began the vaccinations just before Christmas 2020.

“The setup has continued within the new year and has already achieved over 1,000 vaccinations within a single day.

“On Saturday 6t and Sunday 7 February the centre planned to vaccinate 1,500 local residents each day.

“LED Community Leisure are proud to support this amazing programme which is the impetus for East Devon to return to some sort of normality."

People should not turn up at the vaccination centre unless they have received a letter from the NHS inviting them to do so.

The NHS is urging people not t call their local GP or hospital about getting the vaccine as this will block phonelines with queries and stops other people getting healthcare.

People are being told that when they get their invite from the NHS for their vaccine, they should take it up.

The NHS is also reminding people who have had the vaccine they must continue to follow government guidance on social distancing and wearing a mask, as immunity takes weeks to develop.

For more information on vaccination and the health and care response to COVID-19, visit www.togetherfordevon.uk/priorities/coronavirus-covid-19