Staff at Norfolk's hospitals were stretched to the limit over the party period.

Flu and other illnesses, including breathing difficulties, allied to the usual seasonal admissions, have contributed to bed shortages at hospitals in the county.

The James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, was yesterday still on black alert, which means it is low on available beds to deal with the seasonal increase in illnesses.

A spokesman said: 'The hospital is still very busy but at the moment we're coping well.' Some operations have had to be cancelled.

A spokesman for the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital said the hospital was still on red alert although no operations have had to be cancelled.

'We're busy but its no different from other times of the year. Between Christmas and New Year GP surgeries are shut which has an impact on us, but it is business as usual.'

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn has also experienced a busy Christmas, with about 180 patients a day coming through the doors against a normal average of 140-150. Barbara Cummings, director of performance at the QEH, said: 'The hospital is still very busy and we're still on red alert, but we have got beds to admit patients.'

No surgical operations have had to be cancelled.