The Transport Secretary has said Day 2 PCR testing for international travel will be ditched on 24 October.

Grant Shapps tweeted late on Thursday to say: “Mandatory PCR tests will be gone for October half-term for vaccinated adults and families seeking some winter sun abroad.

“From 24 October take a cheaper lateral flow test on return, to make travelling easier and simpler for everyone.”

The rules apply to fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from non-red-list countries and means the Day 2 PCR test will be replaced by a lateral flow test.

The lateral flow tests can be booked from 22 October, when a list of approved providers will go live on gov.uk.

Passengers will need to take a photo of their lateral flow test and booking reference supplied by the private provider and send it back to them to verify the result.

Travellers are also able to book to have a test which they can take on their arrival into the UK at testing centres located in some airports.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We want to make going abroad easier and cheaper, whether you’re travelling for work or visiting friends and family.”