SALISBURY Cathedral this morning opened its doors as a venue for the Sarum South Primary Care Network Covid-19 local vaccination service.

Local GPs from five Salisbury health centres have invited patients that are in the over 80s priority group to attend to have their first Covid-19 jab – and they will get to hear organ recitals featuring classical music while they wait.

The GP practices that have been inviting patients to the Cathedral on Saturday are Salisbury Medical Practice in Fountain Way; Harcourt Medical Centre in Cranebridge Road; Three Chequers Medical Practice in Endless Street; Downton Surgery in Moot Lane, and Whiteparish Surgery.

Only patients that have been invited by the NHS should attend and are asked to only arrive five minutes before their appointment time.

Patients not invited should wait to be contacted by the NHS.

David Halls, director of music at Salisbury Cathedral, and John Challenger, assistant director of music, will be providing a programme of music throughout the day on the famous Father Willis organ.

Dr Dan Henderson, co-clinical director for Sarum South Primary Care Network, said: “It’s great to be further expanding the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Wiltshire.

“Today marks another step towards getting our lives back to normal.

"I understand that people are keen to get their jabs but please don’t call your doctor or the hospital asking about when you will get an appointment, we are following the priority order set out by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the NHS will be in touch when it is your turn to be vaccinated.

“The huge vaccine programme is a marathon, not a sprint, but we will get to everyone.”

The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos, Dean of Salisbury, said: “We are proud to be playing our part in the life-saving vaccination programme, which offers real hope in these difficult times.

“The staff of our local NHS and their patients will receive a warm welcome to their cathedral, and we assure them of our constant prayer.”