Bosses at a Kent hospital are asking patients to go to their GP or pharmacist instead of the Accident and Emergency unit.

Patients at the emergency unit at The Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate are waiting up to four hours to be seen by doctors.

People without life-threatening conditions are being asked to get help from other health services including the non-emergency NHS helpline 111.

A spokesman for the hospital, Steve James, said: "Our A&E department is exceptionally busy.

"We are asking people to use health services appropriately and reserve A&E for emergencies and life-threatening conditions.

"If it is not an emergency, you can get the advice and treatment you need from your local pharmacist, GP or a minor injuries unit.

"You can also call NHS 111 if you need fast medical advice.”

At one point this morning more than 50 people were queueing to be seen by emergency staff.

It comes as the same advice is being given out to patients at Medway Maritime Hospital which has also seen a spike in demand.