AN airport hotel will be turned into a "temporary medical facility" to help increase the number of beds the NHS has to deal with coronavirus.

The St George Hotel at Teesside International Airport has been offered up as a possible location for medical staff as they prepare for a rise in COVID-19 patients.

On Monday, the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen made the announcement after revealing he had spoken with ministers and officials about the government's response to the pandemic.

In a statement confirming the planned conversion, he said: “Over the last 72 hours I have had numerous calls with ministers and officials to discuss how we can best respond to the challenge we face and support the critical work that is being done by our NHS.

The Northern Echo:

“It is absolutely essential that in this time of national emergency we all pull together and do our part and that the local councils and the Local Resilience Forum step up to the mark as the responsible bodies.

"I’m concerned that we aren’t as prepared as we should be and getting everyone together to work through our plans will be essential to help local people get through what will be a very difficult time.

“More information will be provided as soon as we get it, but in the meantime, I would ask that everyone looks after each other. Please provide support or help to friends and neighbours who may be less able than ourselves."

The suprise move comes as Mr Houchen said he was 'convening' a meeting of all five Tees Valley council leaders to co-ordinate a 'joined-up' response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

He also urged manufacturing companies across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to see what manufacturing capability they could use as part of an effort to produce 'critical' medical equipment.