A HOTEL in Falmouth is offering its rooms to NHS staff as they deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

The Greenbank, alongside its sister hotels The Alverton in Truro and The Penventon in Redruth, is currently closed to paying guests because of the restrictions put in place to delay the spread of the virus.

But now the trio will offer 175 rooms to NHS staff.

Managing director Ben Young wrote to the director of NHS estates for Cornwall on Friday, March 20, offering the use of all three hotels’ bedrooms.

He wrote: “For and on behalf of The Alverton, The Greenbank and The Penventon, please be aware that we are prepared and ready to be of service in whatever capacity we may serve you.

"There is nothing more important than health at this time, and with over 175 guest rooms we have the capacity and ability to provide a safe haven for staff, or should it come to it, to provide an extension of hospital facilities.

"We are here to do our bit, and we stand united with our NHS to minimise the unfolding explosion of demand on our county’s hospital.”

A spokesperson for the hotels added: "Our hotels have tried to keep ahead of the curve during the evolving crisis. We first tabled the increasing Coronavirus issue on February 7 and since then we’ve escalated our approach as the situation rapidly developed and brought us to where we are today.

"As a hotel family, we have had so many factors to sort out, as has the entire world, and we count our blessings. Our teams are intact, we laid no one off while we awaited urgent government updates, and we are so far, all well.

"The NHS is something that has, at some point, touched all our lives. From cradle to grave, the service, and the incredible professionals who work in hospitals, GP surgeries, clinics, care homes and more, is a part of British life.

"Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care, heedless of own health as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. From surgeons to nurses, GPs to dentists, and cleaners to paramedics, we have never needed our NHS workers more.

"So let’s show them some love, and create a living map of gratitude from every corner of Britain. By dropping a heart on the map, you’re saying you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS. Thanks a million, NHS workers – we love you."