A record number of emergency admissions were seen by staff at Bedford Hospital last month.

In January 1,265 patients were admitted to hospital beds, an average of between 40 and 41 every day, after visiting the emergency department.

At one point during January the hospital also had to close six wards due to an outbreak of winter vomiting.

Lisa Hunt, chief operating officer at the hospital, said: "Staff worked incredibly hard last month to cope with a record number of emergency admissions alongside ward closures and the heavy snow."

"4,605 patients attended the hospital's emergency department in January (one patient every ten minutes), with almost 37 per cent needing to be admitted.

"We also saw 1,788 patients who came in for elective (planned) procedures.

"In all staff assessed, treated and cared for an average of 148 emergency patients and 57 elective patients every day."

It was also a busy time for the hospital's Cygnet Wing.

She added: "The hospital and community midwifery team also delivered 263 babies in January.

"Despite the record number of emergency admissions, the closure of wards and the severe weather, we kept all services and clinics running as normal, which is a real credit to the professionalism and commitment of our staff."