A trip to a Covid vaccination centre in January could never really be a mouth-watering prospect... until now.

This week a new mass vaccination centre opened at V's Punjabi Grill at the Canal Tavern in Canal Road, Gravesend, offering visitors the chance to grab a jab with their kebab - or indeed anything else off the menu.

Pharmacist brothers Rav and Raj Chopra say they have the capacity to vaccinate 7,000 people a week at the centre, which is being run from a marquee in the restaurant garden.

They explained the idea came after their dad Jagtar Chopra, who has lived in Gravesend for 50 years, suggested using the venue to help improve vaccination uptake in the town.

Raj, who runs Pharmacy1st in Gillingham, said they have prioritised the clinic above their own pharmacies, and are willing to work as many hours it takes to help ensure the health and welfare of the community.

He explained: "Dad got Covid last year and was pretty bad with it. When he saw the provision for vaccines in Gravesend he said 'look guys, come on, you're pharmacists. We've got the premises so see what you can do for the community'.

"The restaurant is still going, but we've got the marquee in the garden which we're using for vaccinations."

Although uptake had been lower than hoped for since the clinic opened on Monday, Raj is optimistic that more people will turn up as January progresses and word gets out about the venue.

He added: "Quite a few people had Covid over December so they have to wait four weeks to get the booster, but it's up and running and we've had a positive response so far. The numbers are slightly increasing day by day.

"There are a lot of people that don't turn up even though we've booked, so we want to encourage people to do that."

Booking is via the NHS Covid website but the site also offers a walk-in service too.

The site is currently open six days a week Mon-Sat, 9am until 4pm, but opening hours can be extended should the need arise.