Royal Cornwall Hospital put on top alert

Royal Cornwall Hospital has declared its highest level of alert and is appealing to patients to go elsewhere if possible.

The hospital is on Opel Level 4, what used to be known as "black alert", because it's so busy.

People are being urged to avoid using the hospital's A&E services to ease the pressure on staff and bring down waiting times. Doctors want patients to go to Minor Injuries Units if it's not a life-threatening emergency.

The trust hopes to downgrade the alert later today.