TESTING on the Island will ramp up this week, as a mobile testing unit is set to open.

The Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has announced today (Tuesday), testing for hundreds of key workers will go ahead without them having to travel to the mainland.

Alison Smith, managing director of the CCG said: "We will have a mobile testing unit to come to the Island and provide tests here.

“The plans are in their final stages and we will be able to share more details with you this week once these are complete.

“This is welcome news and brings reassurance that testing will be taking place on the Island to help protect our key workers and the rest of the Island’s population.

“We do not want people to have to cross the Solent to have their test, which is why we have been working on a model fit for the Island.

“Our key workers have been providing an absolutely tremendous service – often going above and beyond what is asked of them – and we want to rollout the testing as soon as possible.”

Drive-through testing centres are being established across the country, with reports the closest to the Island will be in Portsmouth.

However, Island MP Bob Seely said he had been in talks with the Isle of Wight Council to try and avoid travelling to the mainland for testing.

He said: "As an Island, we have unique circumstances when it comes to testing. I have raised this with the local government minister and public health minister and I hope for news on this shortly”.

Earlier today (Tuesday), leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Dave Stewart, said testing would come to the Island but the last few details are being sorted out.

Read more: Isle of Wight carers' coronavirus test news 'within a week' says council