A MASS coronavirus vaccination centre in Darlington was temporarily closed today leaving hundreds of patients unable to get a jab. 

Darlington Arena - the largest vaccination centre in the town - was closed on Monday due to a water leak. 

Hundreds of patients were told to rebook their appointments for a later date during the closure, while others travelled to other parts of the region to receive the jab. 

Health chiefs at the Covid Vaccination Programme for the North East and North Cumbria said they advised patients to visit Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium or Durham's Arnison Centre and were accepted as walk-ins. 

The programme apologised for the closure, but thanked people for their patience and said that appointments at Darlington Arena will resume as normal from Tuesday. 

A spokeswoman said: "We were able to contact as many patients as we could and asked them to rebook their appointments. 

"We offered alternatives to people today who booked in as walk-in patients in Middlesbrough and Durham. 

"Staff have been proactive in rebooking patients and making sure they can get their vaccinations."