PENSIONER Bob Atkinson has nothing but praise for the way the covid vaccination programme is being run in Bolton.

The 81-year-old had his vaccination at Peter House Surgery in Westhoughton on Friday and said he was grateful and happy to have received the jab.

He told The Bolton News: "I drove to the surgery and there were marshals at the car park telling where you could park, because the surgery car park is quite small and it was busy.

"They were directing people, and they did not have to do that. It took me three minutes in all from getting into the queue, which was socially distanced, to having the injection.

"Everybody is going to be worried about having something they have not had before but my concerns were answered very professionally.

"It is safe vaccine and harmless and you do not get covid from it, it is not a live vaccine, I was told when I raised my concerns."

"I had a sore arm afterwards but that was all."

He added: "Both my wife and I have been adhering to the restrictions and I am happy and grateful to have had the vaccination.

"This is light at the end of the tunnel.

"I cannot praise the staff and volunteers at Peter House Surgery enough."

Mr Atkinson, who lives in Westhoughton, said that he was given the option to attend a mass vaccinating centre, but was able to get an appointment at his local surgery.

"People on Facebook were praising the surgery," he said, "I echoed that. I have an appointment to go back for my second appointment in April.

"My wife has also had the vaccination and also had the same experience as me. She also had a sore arm but that was all."

Vaccination sites in Bolton so far are at: Tonge Moore Health Centre; Lever Chambers Health Centre; Breightmet Health Centre, Peter House Surgery, Waters Meeting Health Centre;Avondale Health Centre and Horwich RMI.

They cover all GP practices in Bolton.