Residents of Wooburn Green and Flackwell Heath have today started a surge testing after the South African variant was found in the village.

Buckinghamshire Council has confirmed the variant cannot be traced back to international travel, adding that the person who has it has self-isolated and followed all the recommended guidance.

A mobile testing unit has been based at the Red Lion car park and opened today at 11am with queues running down the street.

FOLLOW LIVE: The latest updates as surge testing starts today

Volunteers have also been sent around the villages on foot to deliver home tests for residents.

However, if you don't have any symptoms and live in the affected areas you can visit the mobile testing unit.

The commander of the unit Adrian Wiley explained the reasoning behind the site being a walk-in site not a drive-through site as seen in other locations in the UK.

He said: "The community spirit created by the council has managed to galvanise all the team here.

"Because of health and safety reasons, this was too small of a car park to allow cars in - which we normally would do.

READ MORE: Bucks surge testing for South African variant starts today

"We normally have cars driving in, and the test is done within the car. Then they drive out.

"But today I’ve said 'that’s not happening and we’re all going to park locally'. Which everyone has done, so thanks to everyone in the community.

"There has been no problem with parking, everybody has filtered out into parking space."

Bucks Free Press: The queue for the mobile testing unit in Wooburn GreenThe queue for the mobile testing unit in Wooburn Green

He also heavily praised the community spirit that has helped get the unit up and running as quickly as it has done.

Mr Wiley continued: “We have people queuing, people have parked up their cars and are walking in so there’s a real good community spirit.

“Within seconds there is this great demand and atmosphere created by people who are worried about Covid.

ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about the South African variant

“Across the green, there’s a tea shop and they said if we want teas or coffees to pop in, there’s been great spirit around the place.”

Everyone in the affected area is being urged to get a test, the mobile testing unit which opened this morning will continue to be open 9am-5pm up until March 2.

You can use the surge testing postcode checker here.