People have been asked not to attend accident and emergency at St Peter’s Hospital today, due to severe pressure on services.

In an urgent message, Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust warned of long waits and of taking resources away from people in urgent need.

In a statement online, it said: "Non-emergency patients are likely to have an extremely long wait and will be taking staff away from caring for patients who need emergency or life-saving care."

The severe pressure has led to some appointments being cancelled but patients who were affected were informed.

The trust asked people to bear with them during this time of “unprecedented demand” and help them to “prioritise their most urgent patients”.

The ambulance service is also extremely busy, and the trust is reinforcing people to only call 999 in an emergency.

People are asked to think carefully before coming to A&E, and reminded unless it is a real emergency they are likely to get quicker treatment by going to a GP, local walk-in-centre or the local pharmacist.

Weybridge Community Hospital, Church Street, Weybridge, is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7.30pm, and 9am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays.

Ashford Hospital, London Road, is open 8am to 10pm, 365 days of the year.

Woking Hospital, Heathside Road, is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7.30pm, and 9am to 7pm on weekends and bank holidays.

For more information on choosing the right service call 111, or for more information on local health services visit nhs.uk.