Super League champions St Helens have opened their Totally Wicked Stadium to be used as a mass vaccination centre.
The town is part of the Liverpool City Region, which has seen a recent sharp rise in coronavirus cases amid the new lockdown.
It is the first mass vaccination centre to open in the region.
Saints chairman Eamon McManus said: “The first thing to stress is that these are awful times, and clearly this is not something we would ever have envisaged or desired.
“But I think we should thank all those who played their part in establishing a modern new stadium in and for St Helens, after so many glorious years at Knowsley Road.
“This exemplifies the club at the heart of our community, and serving the community. It is also a testament to the very considerable long-term investment which the Board of Directors of St Helens RFLC have made into their club and its infrastructure.”
The club will use the Oxford AstraZenica vaccine and supporters should not attend unless they have an appointment.
It is hoped they can vaccinate thousands of people a week once they are fully operational.
