The Convention Centre is the latest facility to be announced as a chosen site, joining the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the Manchester Central Complex, and the ExCeL conference centre in East London, to help deal with the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The Harrogate Advertiser understands that the NHS is looking to open beds at the centre this weekend.

The Convention Centre is the latest facility to be announced as a chosen site for a dedicated NHS Nightingale hospital.

Ahead of an expected formal announcement by health secretary Matt Hancock, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones told the Harrogate Advertiser: "Should this be announced, I am very pleased that Harrogate is playing its role in keeping our country safe and well. We are facing a national emergency and Harrogate is playing a key role in helping our nation.

"Our hospital is holding up very well, there is no question of that. They are a quality organisation, however, we are looking at a few regional centres of these Nightingale hospitals to provide not just local but more regional capacity, and the fact that people have come to Harrogate, seen the facilities here, shows we have very good facilities.

"I think our local health teams will think that this is an addition, a boost and recognition of our area's capability and facilities, and it will help take some pressure off them."