Health bosses have announced a number of mass vaccination sites in south Essex will be allowing walk-in appointments this week.

It comes amid a push across the UK to get more people fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Large scale vaccine sites set-up in Rayleigh, Wickford and Thurrock earlier this year have all previously required visitors to have a pre-booked appointment.

But they will relax the rules at various times this week to allow people to either bring forward their second jab, or have their first without booking an appointment.

For people looking to get the AstraZeneca jab, the following centres will be open on these dates and times:

The Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh

• 26, 28 and 29 July: 8am to 2pm

• 30 July and 1 August: 8am to 8pm

• 31 July: 8am to 2pm

Alastair Farquharson Centre, Thurrock Community Hospital

• 26, 28 July and 1 August: 8am to 8pm

All centres will be open as indicated or until the availability of supply runs out.

For people looking to get the Pfizer jab, the following centres will be open on these dates and times:

The Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh

• 26 July – 1 August: 8am to 8pm The Lodge Vaccination Centre, Wickford

• 26, 28, 30 July and 1st August: 8am to 2pm

• 27, 29, 31 July 2pm to 8pm

Alastair Farquharson Centre, Thurrock Community Hospital

• 26 July – 1 August: 8am to 2pm

All centres will be open as indicated or until the availability of supply runs out.

Anyone attending a walk-in session and already had an appointment booked elsewhere, is asked to cancel it straight away so that it can be offered to someone else.