People in Wirral are being urged to get a COVID test if they have symptoms such as diarrhoea, fatigue or nausea.

The three main symptoms of the virus are a high temperature, a persistent cough or a loss of smell or taste.

But Wirral Council has added a wider list of symptoms with which people should get tested, after cases of the South African variant were discovered in the Southport area last week.

The wider list includes:

- Diarrhoea

- A persistent headache

- Fever and chills

- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

- Fatigue

- Muscle or body aches

- Sore throat

- Congestion or runny nose

- Nausea or vomiting

If you have any of these symptoms, you should get a test at one of Wirral's symptoms-only testing sites and self-isolate if the result is positive.

Anyone over the age of the three can be tested if they have any of the three main symptoms or those on the extended list.

Locally, walk-in slots are available at the symptoms-only testing centres in Heswall Library, but it is recommended that you book a test here or call 119 to be guaranteed a slot.

Julie Webster, Wirral's director of public health, said: "Wirral's infection rates have fallen since we went into lockdown in early January, but they are still high, and we all need to do everything we can to further reduce the numbers and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

"The virus is constantly changing, and it is important we change with it to adapt our approach and keep people safe.

"We have found that people may not think they have COVID-19 because they do not have the classic symptoms and so we have widened the set of symptoms eligible for testing at our symptoms-only testing centres.

"This will help to ensure people are not spreading the virus without knowing."

Ms Webster said residents must not break the rules despite recent progress made in tackling the virus.

She added: "We cannot be complacent with our approach to COVID-19 and must do all we can to keep ourselves and each other safe.

"We must follow the lockdown rules and stay home. If you must leave home follow the guidance, keep your distance, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly."