Britain will launch a COVID-19 mass testing pilot scheme in Liverpool, offering everyone in the city tests whether or not they have symptoms, in a bid to find a better way to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The UK has the highest COVID-19 death toll in Europe and a second national lockdown is due to come into force in England on Thursday.

The government said on Monday the Liverpool pilot would start on Friday using default method PCR swabs as well as new lateral flow tests aimed at delivering faster results without the need for laboratory processing.

Everyone living or working in the northwest English city will be offered repeat tests at existing sites as well as numerous new sites including care homes, schools, universities and workplaces.