Winter is taking its toll on Kent's A&E departments who today have ask patients to stay away unless they are suffering from 'serious or life-threatening' conditions.

In a coordinated appeal, the county's hospitals say people should "think twice" before turning up at emergency departments, and consider whether their complaint could be treated at a walk-in centre instead.

The cold weather has been blamed for the influx of patients, leading to extra pressure on hospital emergency departments as people seek help for heart, stroke and breathing problems.

Hospitals have also seen more injuries from falls, and say viruses such as norovirus (winter vomiting bug) can lead to wards being closed.

Will Fleetney, Emergency Department matron at Darent Valley, said: “We are now seeing more than 300 patients a day.

"In January we saw over 800 more patients than during the same period last year and nearly 200 more ambulances attended.

"It is important that people understand what services to use when they need medical attention.

"Nearly a third of the people we see could potentially be seen by their GP or at a Walk-in Centre or Minor Injury Unit."

Dr Chris Markwick of Medway Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Hospitals prepare for a surge in patients during the winter, but with so many people using A&E who shouldn’t be there, the service is under a lot of pressure.

“If people have had a serious accident or consider their condition to be life-threatening, then A&E is the right place to go, but if not, they should seek treatment elsewhere, such as a pharmacist, your GP, at a minor injuries unit or walk in centre. If you are unsure where to go, call 111.”

Kent's hospitals say patients should check NHS Choices to find out which service to use, or call NHS 111 for advice.