Puzzled residents have questioned why the council has used former England goalkeeper David Seaman to encourage people to get tested for Covid-19.

Last week, Bracknell Forest Council enlisted the help of the former Arsenal keeper to urge residents to get a test if they have coronavirus symptoms to make sure the borough "is in safe hands".

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David Seaman addressed locals in a video from his 'Cameo' account – which charges users a fee of £149.

The council defended the cost of the video explaining it was significantly cheaper than other forms of advertising,whilst the prevalence of Seaman would help encourage more men in their 40s to get a Covid test.

They also said that David Seaman was used by other councils to promote pun-laden messages about Covid-19.

The video has caused quite the reaction amongst locals with one resident simply saying "oh dear".

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Bracknell resident Rob King jokingly said: "Next up... a video from Michael Owen on the upcoming food waste bins." Helen Trayhorn added: "Shame the don't spend the money on extra bin collections..." Whilst Gemma Field reacted: "What the heck is this."

Bracknell News: David SeamanDavid Seaman

The relevance Mr Seaman has to Bracknell has also been questioned as one local didn't even know who they are.

Yasim Boulden said: "Who is this?"

The formerly-ponytailed football icon said in a video post: “Bracknell Forest chaps, if you’ve got covid-19 symptoms, you need to get a test.

"Make sure your loved ones are in safe hands and get a test to help stop the spread.

“You don’t need me to give you a pep talk, but now’s not the time to drop the ball.

“Stay safe!”

His message comes as part of Bracknell Forest Council’s communications strategy around coronavirus.

The authority said: "Bracknell Forest Council has been using a range of content to engage people as part of its work to spread important COVID-19 messages. It has also been using a range of channels, including everything from social media and print publications, as different audiences access information in different ways.

"Recently, our data has suggested that males in the borough, specifically under 40s, have not been coming forward for testing and so we looked to use a well-known figure and positive role model that could deliver a message to target that audience.

"David Seaman has been used by another council in a similar way and Bracknell Forest Council is not the first to use or pay for a well-known figure to deliver such messages.

"This isn't our usual line of marketing but given the severity of the ongoing pandemic, it's only right we try as many avenues as possible. If even one person now follows the rules, gets tested and stops the spread then the message is worth it.