More signs are needed to direct to people to Braintree Hospital, according to the volunteers who help run it.

Trustees of The Friends of Braintree Community Hospital claim they have been asking for more signs to be installed for more than 18 months.

The only sign in place is located just outside the hospital premises in Rayne Road, Braintree.

Chairman Professor Christopher Green said: "It is a long running problem with a lot of people finding it very difficult to find the hospital.

"There are no road signs on the A120 and there are no signs at any of the major roundabouts near the hospital.

"The trustees are often the first people patients meet at the hospital and we know there is a problem with finding it and it has been getting worse."

Braintree Community Hospital will soon see more patients from outside the district, when NHS bosses' Home First proposals come into play.

Beds in the hospital's Courtauld Ward are set to be repurposed for orthopaedic surgeries for patients across mid and south Essex.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “Extra signs for the community hospital in Braintree are under consideration as part of a signage review.

“The review is at the early outline design stage, but hospital signs are firmly on the agenda.”