Warwick Hospital's main entrance is set to move next week as works to modernise the site continue.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) was given permission to knock down the existing entrance and replace it with a three-storey "state-of-the-art" extension.

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

Work on site began in May, and patients have already been asked not to drive to the site as the project impacts the car parks.

But now the trust has told visitors they must use the new entrance from next Thursday (October 12).

"Warwick Hospital's main entrance is moving as part of the building work to modernise the estate," a SWFT statement said.

"From 8am on Thursday 12 October please can patients and visitors use the new entrance, identified by the arrows below.

"Signage will be in place to assist with this change."

When plans for the new entrance were signed off earlier this year, the trust said the work is necessary as the "poor physical environment" has restricted the "quality and range of services" provided by clinical teams.

It also says the old entrance and surrounding buildings are in a "poor state of repair and merit demolition".

The trust has 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 forms phase one of the trust's masterplan for Warwick Hosptial (image via planning application)