Nightingale hospitals set up in Barrow and Kendal during the first Covid-19 wave would need to get beds from a Carlisle lock up - if there was a need to put them back in place.

With restrictions being tighened due to another rise in cases, Kieran Barr of the  Cumbria Local Resiliance Forum, has said that several storage areas are currently on standby with pre-made facilities to slot in place aross Cumbria.

He said: “All the equipment we built the last time is stored in various locations including the main one at Carlisle.

“Fortunately, we didn’t have to use it last time, but if needed we would look for spaces like leisure centres in Kendal or other locations.

“We will publicly confirm if we need to get the nightingales out of storage if it’s happening. There will be no secret.”