'CONCERNED' council chiefs are raising issues regarding coronavirus testing in Inverclyde directly with health board bosses in the wake of young Greenock school pupils being confirmed as having Covid-19.

The move was revealed following emergency measures being been put in place at Lady Alice and Aileymill primaries, with the entire classes of three affected children now self isolating.

SNP council group leader Elizabeth Robertson called last week for a dedicated children's testing centre in Greenock after the Lady Alice case was confirmed.

Since then two further pupils who attend Aileymill tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday.

There has been a surge in demand for checks which led to local people being offered test appointments in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Skye, despite the existence of a facility at Parklea.

Now Inverclyde Council is urging NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde to ensure more testing is carried out within the local community.

In response to a query from the Telegraph regarding the SNP suggestion for a 'bespoke' children's test facility at Greenock Health Centre, a local authority spokesman said: "Testing is being led at a national level by the UK and Scottish governments in partnership with the health service.

"However, we've contacted the health board to raise concerns about the recent issues surrounding testing locally following an increase in usage of the mobile unit in Port Glasgow and requested additional capacity in Inverclyde to address those issues."

The health board spokesman said: "As a result of increased demand for testing, we are exploring a number of options in partnership with the UK and Scottish governments to increase testing capacity across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

"We can confirm this includes the Inverclyde area."