A HOSPITAL ward has flooded forcing it to close for the weekend.

Aconbury East at Worcestershire Royal Hospital - the site of a new multi-million pound bridge - flooded on Friday (October 12) causing a partial evacuation of the building. 

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue service crews from Worcester and Malvern were called to the scene in Newtown Road, at about 11am this morning. 

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals said: "During today’s heavy rain, water leaked into the Aconbury East block through parts of that building which are currently being refurbished.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: "As a precaution, staff were moved from offices in that building and the computer servers which are housed there were temporarily shut down.

"The building is now watertight and the servers have been turned on again. The affected areas are being dried out and we are identifying temporary office space for the staff who have been moved."

A fire service spokesman said: "Water intrusion affecting main electrical board, crews utilised for water removal, power isolated to ground floor of five storey building, agency briefing took place, incident left with owners."

A member of staff told the Worcester News the building will only be open to contractors and other authorised officials until Monday (October 15).