VACCINE volunteers from a North Yorkshire hospice have been doing "invaluable" work in the battle against the Covid-19 virus.

Around 150 volunteers have been working in shifts at the Rugby Club in Scarborough, which is currently being used as a Covid vaccination centre by eight Scarborough and Filey GP practices.

With up to 2,000 people a day receiving their vaccinations at the site, members of the Saint Catherine’s Hospice volunteer programme have been acting as marshals to support the clinical staff – and the partnership is going "extremely well".

Central Healthcare’s Matt Hudson, vaccination centre duty manager, said: “Having the volunteers here is invaluable. They really helping to take the pressure off NHS services.

“They are really good at what they do and they’re finding it rewarding. The key thing is that people don’t see them as any different to the staff – they are just an integral part of the clinic.”

Tony Bates, who volunteers with his wife Paula, said: “We are really delighted to be able to play a very small part in this epic volunteering task.

"We congratulate Saint Catherine’s for their important role, all so very well planned and delivered perfectly."