Staffordshire health bosses have spoken of "unprecedented levels of demand" faced by local services during the latest lockdown.

Health executives say the county's hospitals will be "exceptionally busy" for the foreseeable future, especially after the identification of a new strain of the virus.

They also asked the county's residents to comply with the rules of the lockdown in order to help local health services.

University Hospitals of North Midlands Chief Executive Tracy Bullock said: "The NHS has been dealing with unprecedented levels of demand for services due to the coronavirus pandemic, particularly following the identification of a new variant of the disease. Due to a significant increase in Covid-19 cases in the community across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, University Hospitals of North Midlands has been exceptionally busy during the last week and we anticipate this will continue for the foreseeable future.

"Both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford have seen rising admissions and this is before we have seen the impact from the loosening of restrictions at Christmas and the new variant. In- line with our pre-prepared plans for winter and Covid-19 we have worked with our NHS and social care partners and taken escalation actions to maintain services and patient safety.

"We are extremely grateful to our staff who have all been working tirelessly in difficult circumstances over a sustained period and continue to do so in the best interest of our patients.

"We will continue to work with our partners to manage the demand on our services and are working hard to maintain the quality of care that patients expect and deserve.

"It now more important than ever for our local communities to adhere to the new national lockdown restrictions and Stay at Home, Protect the NHS and Help Save Lives.

"We would like to reassure people that we are still able to provide care and treatment to patients with life threatening illness and injury and urge those who need our help to still come to hospital and ask those who do not need to attend the Emergency Department to use alternative services such as pharmacy, speak to their GP or call 111 first."

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones MBE, Director of Social Care, Health Integration and Wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "The situation is extremely serious and I cannot emphasise that enough. The hospital is under huge pressure and everyone must play their part to help us to get out of this situation – we must help our local NHS.

"You must stay home and if you have no choice but to go out you should wear a face covering, keep your distance and wash your hands – don't put yourself or others at risk. This is lockdown and I urge everyone to please dig deep no matter how hard it is and stay at home unless you have an essential reason to go out. It's the only way we can get through this and you could save a life."