High Wycombe's driving test centre is to be shut for good - prompting fears it will create a "financial burden" on families.

A spokesman for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said they tried to find a suitable alternative location within the town to move to but were unable to.

Learner drivers hoping to book their practical driving test at the Wellington Road centre were greeted with an online message saying that no tests can be booked there until the end of February 2021.

But it has since been revealed that the centre will close permanently on March 12 next year.

One driving instructor, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Bucks Free Press that examiners, instructors and the community had not been informed of the decision.

Bucks Free Press:

The message that comes up when you try to book a test

He added: "This is going to create a huge carbon footprint for Wycombe based young drivers having to travel back and forth to Aylesbury, Slough, Uxbridge, Yeading, Reading etc to take a practical driving test.

"It also creates a financial burden on Wycombe based families to support the increased time of lessons to not only take a test but lesson time increase to familiarise candidates with the area."

The DVSA spokesman told the Free Press there has been low demand for tests at the Cressex Industrial Estate site.

He said: "DVSA’s priority is to help everyone through a lifetime of safe driving.

“Given the low demand for driving tests and that the cost of the driving test centre lease is not a good use of public money we have taken the difficult decision to close High Wycombe driving test centre.

“We have tried to find a better value driving test centre but have been unable to find an alternative location in the town. If an alternative site become available we will look at its suitability.”