Wirral Council has been recognised for being involved in the very first British effort to contain Covid-19.

In January last year, long before the first lockdown began, 83 British citizens were quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital in an attempt to prevent the virus spreading into the community.

They were followed by a further 11, all of whom had to quarantine for a two-week period at the Wirral hospital.

Wirral Council led this response with just two days notice and has now been shortlisted for the Care and Health Integration Award at this year's Municipal Journal Awards.

The nomination acknowledges the local authority's role in 'The Wuhan Repatriation', as well as that of the NHS and other organisations.

The council and its partners went to great lengths to prepare appropriate accommodation, catering and communications, as well as giving the evacuees mental health support.

Cllr Janette Williamson, leader of Wirral Council, said: "Many residents will remember where they were when Wirral was announced as host the country's first quarantine site for more than 40 years.

"Within hours, dozens of health, care and community organisations had sprung into action to begin a remarkable humanitarian effort to host these visitors swiftly, and safely."

The Labour leader added: "Our care and health services and our third sector partners stepped up to the plate and really came into their own. All organisations came together as one and responded with humanity, dignity and understanding to the emerging situation.

"Staff put their own needs and their anxieties to one side and absolutely delivered the best that they could to support the guests. I'd like to personally thank our staff, our volunteers and our residents for the part they played.

"The pace with which the council and other services adapted to this unprecedented situation was astonishing and remains something that those involved and indeed all who live and work in Wirral should be proud of."

With no prior example to go off, Wirral had to create its own blueprint for delivering an effective quarantine system.

Janelle Holmes, chief executive of Wirral University Teaching Hospital Hospital Trust, which runs Arrowe Park Hospital, said: "This was a local response, driven by local people from the beginning.

"While we didn't know as much as we do now about the virus; our partners, our communities and our residents worked together to support our repatriated guests at a potentially frightening and uncertain time.

"The generosity of the public, both locally and from further afield, was so humbling. It made such a difference and was an extremely kind and thoughtful gesture."

Ms Holmes added: "The multidisciplinary team was extremely proud of the fact that all the guests left the site after 14 days in quarantine with a clean bill of health."

One of the evacuees left a touching note thanking those who arranged the quarantine last year.

It read: "I didn't want to leave without expressing my deepest gratitude for what you have done for us over these past two weeks. I arrived as a potential carrier of a deadly virus. I was a little anxious as to how I would be received.

"I needn't have been. You greeted us warmly with gifts, cards and flowers and smiles. You made us feel welcome. In our time of turmoil, you took care of us with compassion and professionalism.

"The experience has been humbling. Not once did I feel you didn't have enough time to speak to me or help me. You proactively sought to make my confinement here more comfortable.

"I am one of the 83 but I am sure my sentiment is shared by us all. Thank you."