Maldon MP John Whittingdale has told of his delight at receiving his first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination - joining the 149,411 people in the Mid Essex area who have had the jab so far.

Mr Whittingdale, who received the vaccine yesterday, said: "I was delighted to visit the Lodge Vaccination Centre at Runwell, Wickford, to receive my first injection of the AstraZeneca Vaccine and to meet staff and volunteers.

"The Vaccination Centre is doing fantastic job administering vaccines to approximately 500 people a day.

"I was pleased to receive a briefing from Nigel Leonard, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at Essex Partnership University NHS Trust and Melissa Dowdeswell, Operational Director of the Vaccine Programme.

"I was also very pleased to meet some of the volunteers there who are playing an indispensable part."

The NHS in Essex is continuing to encourage anyone aged 50-plus to come forward for their jab, too - and to remind people that despite news last week about vaccine supply, second doses are still going ahead.

An Essex NHS spokesperson also asked that anyone who can't make a booked appointment makes sure they let the service know.

More information on the vaccine, including contact details, is available on the Essex Covid vaccination website by using the link here.