Covid-19: Dorset temporary mortuary is brought into use

A temporary mortuary in Poole is being brought into use to deal with Dorset's rising number of coronavirus deaths.

Officials say the facility at the port will help them cope with the 'tremendous' pressure on the NHS.

Councillor Nicola Greene from BCP Council, said: "Sadly, this is one of the contingencies we are having to put in place.

'Huge amount of pressure'

"Our hospitals continue to be under a huge amount of pressure with over 550 people in hospital with Covid-19 in Dorset.

"The recent rise in cases in our community has meant that heartbreakingly, we have also seen an increase in deaths.

"We hoped that we wouldn’t need to use this extra capacity, but it is now required.

Leader of Dorset Council, Councillor Spencer Flower, said: " We appreciate that this topic is a difficult one for everyone, but the devastating impacts of this disease are now being felt."

A temporary mortuary set up at the Old Radio Station site in Dorchester is being kept on standby.