Wycombe Swan Theatre’s Old Town Hall venue opens its doors to bring the battle against coronavirus centre stage this week as it becomes the latest Covid vaccination site for High Wycombe - where GPs will be vaccinating patients aged 80 and over.

The Old Town Hall, in Queen Victoria Road, joins the GP-led vaccination sites already operating at other locations across the county - in Chalfont St Peter, Princes Risborough, Winslow and Chesham, along with another site in the High Wycombe area.

As well as people aged 80 and over, care home staff are also being prioritised in this first phase of the national vaccination rollout.

All patients eligible to have the vaccine at this stage will be contacted by the NHS first. Patients are being asked not to contact their GP practice to try to arrange an appointment. Other age groups and vulnerable patients will be offered the vaccination over the coming weeks and months.

Martin Tett, leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said: “These are very difficult times, but the more vaccination sites we have up and running in Buckinghamshire, the greater cause we have for optimism.

"It is wonderful to see the Wycombe Swan’s Old Town Hall opening its doors to serve the community in such an essential way, particularly considering the challenges our theatre venues have faced during this pandemic.

"Details of more GP led vaccination sites in the county will follow soon.

“As the vaccination programme continues across Buckinghamshire, I ask everyone to please be vigilant and continue to follow the ‘Stay at Home’ rules to the letter, to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe, and to protect the NHS.”

Fiona Martin, theatre director at Wycombe Swan said: “The Swan and the Old Town Hall is at the heart of the Wycombe community and we’re obviously delighted to be able to support the work of the NHS as they rollout the Covid-19 vaccinations.

"The work that the NHS and others are doing is vital to the recovery of our whole community and it’s fantastic to be able to play a small part in delivering that."

Meanwhile, a Covid vaccination site has also opened in Stoke Mandeville this week.

Holders of concessionary bus passes in Buckinghamshire will be able to use them at any time when travelling for their Covid-19 vaccination. This includes prior to 9am on Mondays to Fridays.