COVID vaccinations will resume at the BIC earlier than planned following a closure so a cheerleading competition could take place at the town centre venue.

The site in Exeter Road has operated as a mass vaccination centre for the region for many months.

As reported, Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust had to pause its use of Purbeck Hall late last month so that the Future Cheer International Cheerleading Competition could take place last weekend.

The decision to call a temporary halt to the jabs at Exeter Road site so the event could take place at the large facility was questioned.

The vaccination centre was due to resume its efforts to immunise residents on July 19, however, health chiefs have confirmed the venue will be offering walk-in clinics from July 14.

Full details have not yet been released, but the trust said the early reopening was made possible thanks to "a concerted effort by health, care and community partners coming together to support the set-up and operation".

Alongside this, Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus will host three pop-up vaccine clinics today, tomorrow and Saturday.

Last week, walk-in clinics in Winton were met with high demand as a limited supply of jabs were taken up each day.

Anna Chainey, Dorset HealthCare’s Covid-19 service manager, said: “We were delighted at the response to our walk-in clinics in Winton – we were able to vaccinate around 400 people across the three days.

“Many people told us how convenient it was to go to a venue very local to them so we hope that this next set of clinics is also popular.

"We’re also delighted to be back in the BIC soon - we’ve had such a fantastic response to our service there with 98 per cent of visitors saying they’re satisfied with their experience.”

The clinics at Bournemouth University are open to all residents in the area aged over 18 who need their first dose.

Around 400 Pfizer vaccine jabs will be available each day, on a first come, first served basis, at Kimmeridge House from 10am to 4.30pm.

Dorset HealthCare, the trust overseeing the rollout of the vaccine, said normal booked appointments at the BIC will resume from the original planned reopening date of July 19.

Residents can book a slot now on the national booking system - nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19.

More than one million Covid vaccine doses have now been administered in Dorset and around 80 of residents in the county have had their first jab.