Three aircraft hangers at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire have been converted into an expansive mortuary, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The airbase in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, was home to the Bomber Command during the Second World War but closed in 1993 - it is now to become one of several temporary mortuaries for the bodies of coronavirus victims.

Currently empty, the hangers, which could hold up to 600 corpses each, will only be used if regular systems are unable to cope with the number of dead.

Two aircraft hangers at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire have been converted into an expansive mortuary, amid the coronavirus pandemic

Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed that a temporary mortuary is being set up at the former RAF base to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said: 'Two hangars have been done already and two more are on the way, with 600 bodies per hangar.

'It is for storage for bodies infected with coronavirus and they'll be in body bags and laid on the shelves.

'It is strange working there, everyone is keeping their distance and wearing masks.

Chilling images and footage shows shelves ready to hold bodies of adult coronavirus victims in a temporary morgue erected at a military base

'It's a little bit odd, you can either laugh or cry, but you've just got to do your work.

'The work initially started last Friday and it finished yesterday.

'I think there are about 10 scaffolders, a few carpenters and three or four electricians.

'There are another two hangars and they are going to wait and see if the numbers keep growing.

'They are cleared and ready to go. There are another five which can be got ready if needs be. They'd each hold 600 bodies.'

Currently empty, the hangers, which could hold up to 600 corpses each, will only be used if regular systems are unable to cope with the number of dead

A worker said: 'It is for storage for bodies infected with coronavirus and they'll be in body bags and laid on the shelves

Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement: 'In common with all other areas of the country there are longstanding contingency plans to provide extra mortuary space during emergency situations.

'Partners from organisations including the NHS, registration services, coroner's office and local authorities have been meeting regularly to consider requirements that may be placed upon Oxfordshire during the Coronavirus outbreak.

'This has led to a temporary facility being prepared at the former RAF base at Heyford Park, which will be used if required.'

The county of Oxfordshire has 356 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 33 deaths as of Friday

Adding: 'There will be a very strong commitment to the dignity and respect required in dealing with the deceased and bereaved families, including all faiths and traditions.

'All of the normal standards and protocols relating to mortuary facilities will be observed at this site, which will be managed in line with national requirements.

'A total of three units have been identified on the Heyford Park site, with a set-up providing a total capacity to store up to 1,480 bodies.'

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed that a temporary mortuary is being set up at the RAF base to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic

Air conditioning units installed in the hanger. A worker on the site at RAF Upper Heyford said two hangars were converted in a week to hold 600 corpses each

Sites for the temporary structures have been placed far away from residential areas to distance the public from potentially disturbing scenes.

The county of Oxfordshire has 356 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 33 deaths as of Friday.

Elsewhere in South Essex an aerial picture of what is London's third temporary mortuary shows refrigeration units are already in place.

Work's ready to start on two further hangars if the death toll rises, with five more on standby to bring total capacity to 5,400

The mortuary, built in the car park of South Essex Crematorium in Upminster, in the London Brough of Havering, is the length of a football pitch.

South Essex Crematorium said in a statement: 'In line with our major incident emergency plans a temporary mortuary is being built at South Essex Crematorium on behalf of the London borough councils and as part of the London-wide response to coronavirus.

'This is being done as a sensible precaution and similar arrangements are made during any London-wide response to incidents.'