Researchers hoping to secure a COVID-19 vaccine are calling for volunteers to join clinical trials in Exeter.

Those who sign up will join more than 9,000 people from across Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset.

People with underlying health conditions and over the age of 65 are particularly needed.

The national project is entering phase three and will test the safety and effectiveness of a “promising” new vaccine, according to the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

The vaccine has been developed by US biotechnology company, Novavax.

60 million doses were secured by the government and so far more than 250,000 volunteers have signed up.

Local studies will be conducted in the Exeter Nightingale Hospital, which was built to treat patients who had contracted the virus.

Dr Thomas Burden, respiratory consultant at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer people in the South West the opportunity to participate in this important and exciting research.

“We have all been affected by COVID-19 in differing ways and we look forward to contributing towards what we hope will be an effective vaccine to enable recovery from this devastating epidemic.”

In July, the NHS launched its Vaccine Research Registry to create a database of people interested in taking part in clinical coronavirus studies.