DOCTORS have warned that two hospitals in the region are facing 'extreme levels of demand'.

Patients are being asked to avoid Accident and Emergency departments unless absolutely necessary to avoid queues and to help ease demand on stretched hospital services.

The Northern Echo understands there is no single cause for the spike in demand and it is due to a busy weekend having a knock-on effect into Monday.

Both hospitals are working hard to free up crucial beds, it is understood.

Darlington's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) tweeted at lunchtime: "Darlington Memorial Hospital is experiencing extreme levels of demand today.
"Remember A&E is only for life-threatening illnesses or injuries. If you are unsure about what service you need please call 111 for free."

Durham CCG reiterated the advice, saying Durham's hospital was seeing high levels of demand.