Doctors are appealing for people in west Kent to take simple steps to avoid ending up in A&E this bank holiday weekend.

According to the NHS west Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Trust this can be one of the busiest times of year for hospitals as people seek help after gardening injuries, DIY and sporting mishaps and even sunburn.

A spokesman for the group said only the most serious injuries and illnesses need to be treated at A&E.

He added that a grazed knee, twisted ankle, sore throat, mild sunburn or mild sunstroke are best treated by staying at home, resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

Pharmacists provide expert, free, confidential advice on health issues such as cold sores, constipation, coughs, cystitis, diarrhoea, hayfever, headache, mild eczema, sunburn, sprains and strains. You can simply turn up and ask for advice with no prior appointment.

Several pharmacies are open locally on bank holiday Monday, May 4 and Monday, May 25.

Minor injuries units will be open every day to treat sprains and strains, broken bones, wound infections and other minor injuries.

The free NHS helpline, NHS111, is available 24/7.

Dr Bob Bowes, chair of NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group said: "Please think about which service can help you best rather than spending hours in A&E – it’s not always the best use of your time or NHS resources.

"I’d urge everyone with a smartphone or computer to save the Health Help Now web app – www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net – or download the Health Help Now app from Google Play and the App Store.

“Health Help Now has lots of local information and can guide you to the service that will be best able to deal with your symptoms. It also shows when services, such as pharmacies are open or closed – which is invaluable at bank holidays.”