The first hybrid walk-in and drive-in COVID-19 testing centre in the country is coming to Slough from tomorrow afternoon.

The testing centre will be based in the Montem Car Park, Montem Lane and anyone with symptoms – and for the first time people who are not symptomatic but concerned they may be infected – will be able to visit for a test either by foot or in a car.

The centre will be open for those who make an appointment and those who just want to drop-in, though the council is warning drop-ins may have a slightly longer wait.

Up to four people can come together in the same car and all ages are welcome.

Tests are administered by visitors under the guidance of trained testing staff on site. There is no geographical limit on where people can visit from and actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes.

Anyone arriving on foot over the age of three is required to wear face coverings or they will not be able to take part. There will be a special area for testing for those who do not wish to remove face coverings in public. A curtained area is available. Parents are welcome to bring children

Josie Wragg, chief executive at Slough Borough Council, said: “We are proud to be facilitating not only a site with huge capacity for testing but also one which is the first hybrid site in the country – where people can drive and walk in with no appointment.

“We have been reassured there will be plenty of assistance on site and we would encourage anyone with symptoms or who is concerned they may have COVID symptoms, not just now but in the coming weeks to pop along and get a test.

“In an area like Slough, which has seen relatively high levels of infection and has a large black and ethnic minority population which is more at risk of both catching the virus and getting more severe complications from it, having such a site in our borough is excellent and improves testing accessibility for both our residents and those in surrounding areas.”

Other access to the Montem Car Park is now restricted and residents are requested not to attempt to park on the site and use other cut throughs between Chalvey and the A4.