Those hoping to see loved ones in hospital are being reminded that visiting is currently suspended under lockdown regulations.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) is urging all visitors to adhere to the latest rules, which has seen visiting halted across all trust sites.

The measures have been taken to maintain the highest level of infection prevention, in a bid to keep patients and staff safe.

If relatives would like to bring in belongings to a patient, these must be left with the dedicated volunteers, or leave with reception at the community sites.

NCIC has also reminded those wishing to visit of other methods of keeping in touch, including phone calls and video calls with patients.

Exceptions to the visiting suspension include patients who are receiving end-of-life care, birthing partners in maternity units, and parents or legal guardians of children.

Visitors must be immediate family members or carers only.

A spokesman added: "If there are exceptional clinical or social reasons why someone wants to visit, this will be decided on a case-by-case basis and we would urge people to liaise directly with the senior nurse on the ward."