A COVID-19 vaccination centre was forced to close temporarily due to a protest.

The vaccine centre in the Northgate car park in Chichester was closed for around two and a half hours on Sunday October 17.

The Sussex Community NHS Trust, which is responsible for the site, said all appointments were cancelled due to a “disruption” at the centre.

At 11.30am, the trust tweeted: “We have had to cancel appointments at our Chichester vaccination centre until 2pm due to disruption at the site.

“Please don't attend. We'll let you know when we're open. Thanks for your understanding.”

The centre reopened at 2pm.

The trust took to social media again to tank the team at Northgate car park and the public for their “patience and understanding”.

It is understood that a group of up to 30 protesters were at the site.

Sussex Police has been approached for comment.

In August, protests disrupted the opening of a new Covid-19 vaccination centre inside the former Topshop store in Churchill Square.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the vaccination centre which was subsequently closed to members of the public while the protest took place.

Notorious conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani, from East Sussex, was pictured outside the centre speaking to the crowd.

The vaccine centre in Westgate Leisure, Chichester, relocated to Northgate car park on Saturday, September 25.

The Northgate site features a purpose-built vaccination centre, with staff able to vaccinate the public with booked appointments and walk-ins from 8.30am to 7pm each day.

Walk-in vaccinations for 16 and 17-year-olds are also available at the new Northgate vaccination centre.

The Westgate Leisure vaccination centre was one of five large vaccination centres opened by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year - delivering up to 1,000 vaccinations a day during peak demand.

Since opening on February 18, the centre had been staffed by 200 SCFT staff members, with support from more than 220 volunteers.

To book your Covid-19 vaccination appointment, please call 119, visit the NHS or Sussex Health and Care Partnership websites.