Patients and visitors are being encouraged to use different modes of transport to reach Warwick Hospital, as the site undergoes a major construction project.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) began work to create a new "state-of-the-art" entrance at the hospital in May.

The trust has been given permission to knock down the existing buildings and replace them with a three-storey extension.

The scheme forms phase one of the trust's masterplan to improve facilities at the 474-bed hospital.

As construction got underway, SWFT warned locals that there would be some disruption to the car parks over the coming months.

And taking to Twitter the trust has now asked visitors to try and avoid driving to the site.

"As part of the developments to transform the Warwick Hospital site, there has been a change to our main public car park," the announcement said.

"Please use alternative transport where possible: Can you travel by bike to Warwick Hospital to minimise the impact?"

It added; "The trust is progressing with development plans to massively transform the Warwick Hospital site.

"This work, which will assist the trust to meet service demand and improve wayfinding around the site, has impacted on our car parking capacity and facilities, with disruption for patients and visitors unfortunately expected."

The trust has also confirmed that on Saturday (5 August), car park A will be closed for the day.

It will then reopen the next day in time for car parks B, D, E, and F to be completely closed for the day.

Planning permission for the major redevelopment was granted by Warwick District Council at the end of March.

The trust has now been given permission to build a new ground floor reception, plant room and admission suite as well as exterior landscaping.

Two wards comprising 32 beds will now be relocated into the two levels, providing 40 beds.

Plans state that works on site will not limit the day-to-day running of the hospital.

The application also includes solar panels on the roof.

The hospital eventually plans to also demolish and rebuild the buildings next to the entrance, as well as the day surgery unit and radiology and then the Mains/Suire Ward. These will all come as separate applications in the next few years.

The trust says the new entrance will be a 'state-of-the-art' facility (image via planning application)