A Bolton GP has urged all residents to make sure they get the coronavirus vaccine if it is offered to them.

Dr Sharif Uddin, from the Halliwell Surgery, has recorded a plea to residents urging people to trust him and other GPs and to get the coronavirus vaccine.

He says that as people trust himself and other GPs with treating other health concerns, such as diabetes, that the public should trust their GPs when it comes to taking the coronavirus vaccine.

In a video released by Bolton's Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Uddin says: "Many of you contact me with your various health conditions for example diabetes or high blood pressure, and you trust me as your GP to do the best thing for you.

"I'm asking you today to also trust me with the Covid vaccine.

"I can confirm that I have had the vaccine myself and my mum has had the vaccine.

"From my understanding it is very safe, we have had no adverse side effects, and my understanding is it is highly effective if you have both the doses.

"So I would implore you when you are invited to take up the Covid vaccine, please take it.

"Protect yourselves, protect your loved ones and stay safe."

All GP practices in Bolton now have access to a local vaccination site, with each site administering hundreds of vaccines each day.

Dr Helen Wall senior responsible officer for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in Bolton, and clinical director of commissioning at Bolton CCG, has also Tweeted her enthusiasm at how the vaccination programme is going in Bolton.

She said: "This time tomorrow (January 20) we will have every part of Bolton actively delivering Covid vaccines from PCN (GP) sites.

"Thousands of vaccines delivered already in Bolton. We can do this."

Invitations are currently being sent to residents aged over 80 with people aged over 75 beginning to start.

The full list of vaccination sites in Bolton includes: Tonge Moor Health Centre, Lever Chambers Health Centre, Breightmet Health Centre, Peter House Surgery, Waters Meeting Health Centre, Avondale Health Centre, Horwich RMI.

Local vaccination sites are operating alongside regional vaccination centres at the Etihad Campus in Manchester, pharmacy-led vaccination services, hospital hubs and in care homes.

Anyone receiving a letter has the option to attend the Etihad or wait for their local invitation.