A SANDBACH couple became the first patients to receive their Covid-19 vaccinations at Leighton Hospital this week.

June Elsby, 88, and husband Brian, 93, were delighted to take up their invitation as Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust continues to roll out its vaccination programme.

Brian, a keen singer and former winner of the Blackpool Rose Bowl, and June, who plays the organ at her local church, say they had the vaccination because they are keen to get back to what enjoying live music once again.

June said: "I would say to anyone offered the vaccine you should absolutely get it. There have been so many scenes of people suffering terribly in our hospitals and so having the vaccine makes absolute sense."

And Brian added: "It's going to save your life, which is the best thing."

The couple had nothing but praise for NHS staff and the way they have responded to the pandemic.

"We can't praise the NHS enough and the sterling work done by all the staff. This is just another example of the great kindness and care shown by the NHS. They all deserve medals, they really do," they said.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals began its vaccination programme at the end of last year. As well as vaccinating people aged 80 and over its is also offering the vaccine to NHS staff and care home workers.

Trust Chief Executive James Sumner said: "Our staff have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes for several weeks to make sure we were ready and could begin to offer the vaccine to patients aged over 80 and those NHS and care home staff prioritised for the first phase of this vaccination programme.

"The vaccine is a huge step forward in our fight against coronavirus and we are incredibly proud to support such an historic and lifesaving programme."