Patients were evacuated from Deal Hospital after a gas leak was discovered in the London Road building.

Other people in wards were moved to residential and nursing homes in the area, with some also going home to be looked after by community nursing teams.

They were all expected to return to the wards yesterday (Wednesday), said a spokesman for the Eastern and Coastal Kent Community Health NHS Trust.

He added that the patients were "calm and comfortable."

Gillian Sainsbury, clinical services manager at the trust, said: "A gas leak meant that our business continuity plan was been activated at the hospital.

"All partner organisations were informed and we would like to thank patient transport teams for their excellent and prompt response."

The gas leak, described as not dangerous, was discovered in one of the underground pipes on Monday. All heating and hot water was turned off as a precaution.

* For full story buy the East Kent Mercury.