Talks are underway on how a major service at Beccles Hospital can be re-provided once its contract expires this year.

The contract on the hospital's phlebotomy department, which is responsible for taking blood samples, is due to finish at the end of September.

But Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said there would be 'no gap' between the closure and re-provision of the service.

Cath Byford, deputy chief officer at the CCG, said: 'We have always been committed to providing a phlebotomy service in Beccles as we appreciate how important it is to local people.

'The James Paget has served notice on the service, with the contract currently due to finish at the end of September. We are now looking in detail at how we will re-provide the service after that date.'

A CCG spokesman said: 'We are discussing the re-provision of the service with all potential providers,' the spokesman added.