HAMPSHIRE families living with school-aged children are set to have access to rapid Covid-19 tests from next week.

Twice-weekly testing using lateral flow tests are to be available for those living with primary-, secondary- and college-aged children in Hampshire.

Those in childcare and support bubbles as well as adults working in schools, bus drivers and after school clubs leaders are also set to have access to the tests.

The programme is expected to be rolled out across the county from next week with tests available for collection from this week.

Further details have yet to be confirmed.

But the plans were confirmed by Simon Bryant, the director of public health at Hampshire County Council, during a meeting held this morning.

It comes as children will return to school next week.

According to the county council, the twice-weekly testing will not be mandatory but families will be encouraged to get tested.

Those who test positive will then be asked to take  a PCR swab test.

A new home ordering testing service is also expected to be available from this week, according to the council.

This would give people the opportunity to order lateral flow tests online.

Further details are yet to be published.

But during the meeting Dr Bryant said: "We are going to deliver this programme, understanding what that looks like and how to take that programme forward for those who live in households with children at school. Another way to help prevent and break the chain of infection."

It comes a mass testing programme to identify asymptomatic people in Hampshire was launched last week.

The government confirmed that secondary school and college students will be tested twice a week, receiving three initial tests at school or college before transitioning to twice weekly home testing.

Primary school children will not be regularly asymptomatically tested due to low levels of transmission between younger aged children, the government said,  but will continue to need to come forward for tests if they have symptoms.

Last night the government announced that twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be given for free to all families and households with school children.

More to follow.