A Kent MP has blasted a nationwide shortage of Covid testing kits.

People trying to order lateral flow tests online this morning have been met with alerts saying there is "no availability" across the country for both the general public and essential workers.

Sir Roger Gale, Conservative MP for North Thanet, took to Twitter to describe the situation as a "gridlock", with "no stocks in chemists and no delivery slots available".

He added that PCR testing sites are facing a similar issue, with staff at Thanet's Manston test centre "working flat out".

The MP said he was trying to contact the Secretary of State "to get help for constituents".

In an update at 11.40am he wrote: "I have spoken to Secretary of State, there is a world shortage of Lateral Flow & PCR test supplies, but we are buying all that’s available.

"Best advice to constituents - keep trying online, as stock are being released hourly."

The shortage has been an issue for several days as people have been regularly testing to safely see family and friends over Chritmas.

Today. there have been calls to the government to reduce the number of days you need to isolate from seven to five if you test positive.