A car park at Glasgow Airport has been transformed into a fully functioning "testing area" for coronavirus. 

The drive-through site on Abbotsinch Road will be open from this afternoon and will initially focus on testing front-line NHS staff. 

While it remains closed to the public up to five lanes will be accessible for NHS staff by appointment. 

READ MORE: Coronavirus crisis left Barrhead nurse fearing for son's safety

In the 17-acre long-stay car park, individuals will be able to provide swab samples to be tested for COVID-19.

Mark Johnston, the airport’s managing director, said: “We are in regular contact with both the UK and Scottish governments and have offered our facilities available to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Glasgow Airport has the space and infrastructure capable of accommodating a large-scale testing area and we are only too happy to support in this way.

“The impact of this virus affects us all and Glasgow Airport, the wider AGS Airports Ltd group and our people will continue to support the national effort to overcome COVID-19 and stand ready to help in any way we can.”

The testing centre is funded by the UK government with the purpose of protecting frontline staff. 

Last week, Nicola Sturgeon assured that plans were afoot to increase the number of people tested daily up to 3000.

READ MORE: Bride whose wedding was almost ruined by coronavirus still had 'dream day'

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “This new testing centre at Glasgow Airport, funded by the UK Government, will keep our front-line NHS staff doing the jobs they are trained to do, allowing those who do not have the disease to go back to work and treat those who are most in need of care.

“This is part of the UK Government’s plan to vastly expand our testing capacity as we continue to work around the clock and across the country to protect the vulnerable, support the NHS, and save lives.”

Shops are closing. Newspaper sales are falling. But we’ve chosen to keep our coverage of the Coronavirus crisis free because it’s so important that the people of Glasgow stay informed during this difficult time.

To help us get through this, we’re asking readers who can afford it to contribute either £3, £5 or £8 a month to the Glasgow Times.

If you choose to sign up, we’ll also take away all the adverts – and deliver a digital version of the print paper to your device. Click here to help Save Your Times