Relatives of end-of-life patients will have access to a new 'friends and family' room at a community hospital.

The room, at Kelling Hospital, near Holt, is equipped with a sofa bed, privacy blinds, tea and coffee making facilities, and a microwave.

It can be used for up to two people staying overnight and function as a quiet room for patients and relatives who wish to be away from the ward during the day.

The room was converted from an existing area largely thanks to fundraising efforts of the family of former Kelling Hospital doctor James Slator.

Dr Slator, who worked as a leading chest physician at Kelling until his retirement in 1983, regularly used to cycle 156 miles from Oxford to Kelling when he was a medical student between 1941 and 1946.

Eight of his surviving family members completed a 156 mile sponsored bike ride from Oxford to Kelling last year in his memory, and donated money raised to the Friends of Kelling Hospital.

The room was officially opened by his wife Mary Slator.

She said: 'This was my husband's vision and dream of what should be available at the hospital.'

Bev Goldthorpe, of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust which runs the hospital, said: 'This room will be helpful to families and friends who want to stay near their loved ones while they are in hospital for palliative care.

'Sometimes travelling to and from hospital can be an issue for families and carers, particularly if they live in rural areas and don't drive, so this should be a very useful facility for them.'