HOSPITAL chiefs have assured patients in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley that there is no winter bed crisis -- despite an upsurge in admissions.

Between November 27 and December 31, there were 2,846 admissions dealt with by Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust.

Cold weather during the festive period, as well as the snow and ice, is blamed for contributing to the sharp rise in the numbers -- up by 418 on the year before.

But trust manager for Wigan and Leigh Infirmaries, Tom Pickering, said the winter emergency system was coping well under the extra strain.

He said: "Everything is running extremely well. The trust has not quite seen peaks in activity associated with winter but we remain ready. And we ask the public to continue to use the service sensibly."

Out of the admissions to the two hospitals 1,719 were for medical conditions, 513 were for surgery, 380 were gynaecological and 234 were orthopedic, which consists largely of breaks and fractures from falls. Contingency plans have been stepped up at Leigh Infirmary walk-in centre which acts as a minor injuries clinic and 14 extra beds are available.

All non-elective surgery has been cancelled until Monday to free up beds and a temporary mortuary in portable cabins has been installed at Wigan Infirmary in case of extra winter deaths.