Hospital staff are being asked to give up their booked holiday as hospitals face increasing pressure due to the Covid pandemic.

An internal email by Diane Sarkar, chief nursing officer and David Walker, chief medical officer at Southend Hospital urges staff to return and help out.

It comes as ambulances were seen queueing at the hospital on Boxing Day.

The internal note to staff says: "Demand on our services is continuing to increase and we are finding ourselves in an increasingly difficult situation. With this in mind we are asking all clinical staff if they would consider giving up their booked annual leave and returning to work.

"We know your annual leave is important and this is not a request we are making lightly but if you are able to come back into work and support your colleagues are care for patients who need us we would be extremely grateful."

Southend Hospital has been contacted for additional comment.