CHESTER-based company Sykes Holiday Cottages and its holiday homeowners have joined forces with others in the short-term rental industry to offer free accommodation to frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The scheme, NHS Homes, was initially launched in London, but has rapidly expanded its reach, thanks to support from various accommodation providers throughout the country.

NHS Homes aims to help healthcare workers who have temporarily relocated, those wanting to limit their commute and people living away from their families during the pandemic.

Since it pledged its support, more than 900 Sykes owners nationwide– and 10 in the Chester area – have signed up to let NHS staff stay in properties near their place of work for free, with small contributions requested to help cover weekly cleaning, fresh linens and utilities.

Sykes’ CEO, Graham Donoghue, said: “We would like to thank all of the property owners who have ultimately made this happen.

“It’s such a worthy cause and we’re proud to play a part in making such a large number of properties available to the hard-working healthcare professionals that need them.”

NHS key workers or healthcare professionals who want to request accommodation should fill in a form on the NHS Homes website: www.nhshomes.co.uk.