HEALTH bosses are again pleading with the public to only use Accident and Emergency if absolutely necessary, as emergency departments in East Lancashire are now "extremely busy".

Following news that The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals cited A&E attendances as a reason for moving to the 'highest level of internal incident' and 'critical incident' levels respectively, Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital revealed that they are under similar strain.

A spokesperson for the hospital said: "Our Emergency Departments are extremely busy right now and you may experience long waits to be seen.

"We currently have 122 patients waiting to be seen at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital - 79 in our Emergency Department and 36 in our Urgent Care Centre.

"If it's not a 999 emergency, please use 111 or use the NHS website to check your symptoms and get advice. We need your support."