The leader of Cornwall Council has called for urgent action to fix the Covid-19 testing system which he says “isn’t working”.

Julian German made the comments in his announcements to a meeting of the full council on Tuesday morning after the council invited members of the public to share experiences of the testing system after being concerned about it.

Mr German said hundreds of people had responded and that these would be shared with Cornwall’s MPs and the government.

He said it was "clear from the sheer volume of responses that the system isn’t working, and I’m deeply concerned that people of Cornwall are suffering as a result".

He added: "This isn’t about asymptomatic people putting strain on the system [Health Secretary Matt Hancock recently said increasing numbers of people in England were seeking tests when they don't have any Covid-19 symptoms].

"Some of the stories we’ve heard are truly disturbing. From the carer self-isolating and unable to work because of a delay in receiving her test results, to the parents of a poorly child who were forced to travel almost a hundred miles for a test – only for the appointment to be cancelled when they were halfway there.

“These examples are shocking – but sadly they’re not unique. If we are to beat this virus, we need a testing system that is fit for purpose. I worry that at this present moment we don’t have one.

He said he had written to local MPs with the findings and asked for their support because "we can’t wait weeks. These changes need to happen now".

He also said he would be writing to Boris Johnson this week asking the prime minister to let the council use money which remained from the coronavirus grants scheme to help businesses which have not yet had any support.

The government has defended its record on testing, but conceded that problems with the system are likely to continue.