A Kenilworth on-call firefighter has this week begun handing out Covid-19 home testing kits throughout the town.

Alison Insley has been asked by Warwickshire County Council to help supply kits to residents after she was recently made a Covid-19 Community Champion.

Alison has begun by supplying kits to neighbours, but is now inviting anybody in Kenilworth to contact her to request a kit.

The rapid lateral flow home testing kits are also available in packs of seven on the Government's website, free of charge. However, Alison is one of a number of individuals who have volunteered across Warwickshire to help with distributing them in individual towns.

As one in three people who have contracted Covid-19 do not have symptoms, these kits are useful in tracking the number of cases in the localities.

Alison, who also helps to run the lateral flow testing site in Leamington, said: "People are starting to go out again now, and that's what it is about.

"It is keeping people safe now they are going out, it is giving people the confidence to go out again, and also for people who have already been vaccinated, they need to remember that they can still transmit the virus, so should still get tested."

Whilst the kits do come with instructions, Alison is also willing to demonstrate to residents how to use the tests, if they are unsure.

"Obviously people can go online and order them, but think what that is costing the NHS and the Government, whereas I can just walk or cycle round can't I. It just gives that bit of human contact as well.

"If people don't know how, I am happy to demonstrate. With the community testing I am doing this every day of my life, so I know how to do it and I can answer any questions about self testing for people."

Should you wish to receive a testing kit, please contact Alison via email at: [email protected]