SECURITY measures have been introduced to protect a special room for parents at Warrington Hospital.

The room, in the new £180,000 Children's Outpatients Unit, is available to the parents of sick children 24 hours a day.

It has been funded by the charity Action for Sick Children and is fitted with a kettle, fridge, microwave and soft furnishings, which have been provided by the hospital, pharmacy and a voluntary group.

In the past, furniture in the original parents' room was damaged by what a hospital spokeman described as a "very small minority of people".

A spokesperson for the Warrington branch of Action for Sick Children confirmed that the room will now be kept locked to stop unauthorised people using it.

A key will be available to all parents who wish to use the room.

The hospital spokesman said: "Unfortunately this does happen from time to time in any public place so in order to avoid a repetition, it has been necessary to keep the room locked.

"However, we wish to stress that no parent is denied access to the room and the key is available on demand."

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