Aylesbury Vale developed 'quick Coronavirus test' to be rolled out across Northern Italy

The breakthrough test will initially be used alongside the current 'gold standard' PCR swab tests, in order to demonstrate its ability to detect COVID much earlier than current tests.

The intention is that the Adstock test will then be used to meet the Italians' aim to guarantee the health and safety of people who've been called back to work, by preventing infected people from unwittingly causing new epidemic outbreaks.

Meanwhile, Dr Mark Baker, the local scientist who has been working on the breakthrough test off his own back over the past 6 months, is raising funds to support the remaining work needed to have it ready for use as a 30 second home test to be used by hundreds of millions of people each day.

While potential investors have been looking to be involved, Dr Baker says it's the general public who are in tune with the aims of the project, where solving the global crisis has to be the priority - both saving lives and removing the need for damaging restrictions and lockdowns.

The people of Adstock and the Buckingham area have got the fundraising off to a good start with around £12,000 already pledged to the project crowdfunder and local volunteers helping out.

But time is running out to secure an additional £262,000 from a government grant Dr Baker has been offered, as the grant can only be claimed if the project can show it can pay for three months' costs itself, by the deadline of 1 November.

Readers can contribute to the project by pre-ordering tests for themselves or for health and care workers or simply by making a donation, and can find out more at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/end-covid