UK Covid vaccine factory receives suspicious package with bomb squad called

A bomb disposal unit has been called to an 'ongoing incident' at a Covid vaccine factory believed to have been sent a suspicious package.

The facility has been evacuated this lunchtime.

In a statement North Wales Police said: "We are currently dealing with an ongoing incident on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.

"The roads are currently closed and we would ask the public to avoid the area until further notice."

The police were called to deal with a suspicious package. A Downing Street spokesman said they were 'being kept up to date on the incident'.

The industrial estate is home to the Wockhardt factory which is responsible for production of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

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Police were called to reports of a suspicious package (@PaulSalisbury15/Twitter)

A bomb disposal squad at the scene (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

The factory is currently closed off for access.

Wockhardt tweeted: "Wockhardt UK in Wrexham this morning received a suspicious package.

"Relevant authorities have responded and upon expert advice we have partially evacuated the site pending a full investigation.

"The safety of our employees and business continuity remain of paramount importance."

First Minister Mark Drakeford has issued a short statement, “We are working with local police and the military to find out more about this incident.

"Thank you to the security personnel who are on-site to protect lives and ensure the safety of our vaccine supply. This highlights the vital role they play in keeping us all safe. Diolch.”

The factory was put under threat by flood waters last week (Hadyn Iball / Norh Wales Live)

The factory has been partially evacuated (@ian_hunter9/Twitter)

There is no indication at this stage if the incident will disrupt production of vaccines. Nearby offices have also been evacuated.

Last week the factory was at risk due to flood waters in the areas.

Teams worked through the night to protect the facility and ensure supplies of the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine were not damaged.

The factory has the role of “fill finish” in creating Covid-19 vaccines with a range of production lines.

The Wrexham plant has the capability to produce around 300 million doses of the vaccine a year.

Wockhardt UK entered an agreement in August to help prepare the vaccine for distribution.

When the company's contract was announced, Ravi Limaye, managing director, said: "We are immensely proud to have been selected to partner with the UK government on this project.

"We have a sophisticated sterile manufacturing facility and a highly skilled workforce."