Five Cumbrian leisure centres will be adapted into care facilities for patients suffering from coronavirus.

Andrew Slattery, Assistant Chief Constable and Chair of the multi-agency Cumbria Strategic Co-ordination Group, said:

“I am pleased to be able to announce that through effective multi-agency working involving Cumbrian authorities and the Ministry of Defence, we are establishing an additional 500 patient beds across the county for Cumbria’s NHS.

“The facilities will be established at Whitehaven Sports Centre, The Sands Centre in Carlisle, Penrith Leisure Centre and Kendal Leisure Centre. A final decision on the location of a facility in Barrow-in-Furness will be made later today. Equipment is being installed through this week."

The extra bed capacity will focus on those recovering from the virus.