EXTRA security guards will be drafted in to patrol Blackburn hospitals on Millennium Eve amid fears that casualty units could be swamped by violent, drink-fuelled patients.

The number of security staff patrolling Blackburn Royal Infirmary and Queen's Park Hospital will be doubled as thousands of revellers see in the New Millennium.

Six guards will be split between the two hospitals, but will give priority to the accident and emergency unit at the infirmary where doctors and nurses on duty will also liaise closely with the police.

Rob Bellingham, Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust's director of corporate development, said: "We are expecting a significant police presence although officers will not be based permanently on the site.

"The police will be conducting regular sweeps of both the hospital sites.

"Security is a big issue and obviously Millennium Eve is potentially the biggest night of the year."

Police and hospital staff have already expressed fears that 36-hour pub opening during Millennium weekend will increase the number of people attending casualty during.

Trust chairman Ian Woolley has already expressed his hope that partygoers would behave sensibly as pubs get the go-ahead to open between 11am on Millennium Eve and 11pm on January 1.

Earlier this year medics hit out at the growing tide of violence and abuse against front-line hospital staff.

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