A temporary coronavirus testing unit has been sent to an Iceland distribution centre in Penzance Drive.

The unit will remain at the XPO Logistics depot for four days, with health officials hoping to test as many staff members as possible.

It comes after news last week that a small number of staff at the distribution firm, which handles logistics for supermarket Iceland, tested positive for Covid-19.

The council has not put a figure on that “small number”, but said people identified as having had close contact with those diagnosed with the virus were self-isolating at home.

Steve Maddern, Swindon Borough Council’s director of public health, said: “The offer of testing to everybody who works on site is a precautionary measure, but it is important that we act to help stop the spread of the virus within our workplaces and the local community in Swindon.

“We are working closely with Public Health England and would like to thank XPO Logistics for their co-operation in this matter.”

Last week it was announced there had been “small outbreaks” at the Royal Mail centre in Liden, the Honda plant and three firefighters based at Swindon Fire Station had tested positive for the virus.