Hospital bosses have apologised to patients after non-emergency operations were cancelled at three Lincolnshire hospitals.

Around 70 operations have already been cancelled at Boston, Lincoln and Grantham.

The problem comes from an earlier than expected rise in winter emergency admissions.

Hospital authorities have apologised and say more beds should be available.

We hope no one would have to wait more than a month after having their operations cancelled

Janet King, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Pressure on beds and a rise in the usual winter increase in emergency admissions has come earlier this year.

Last week 48 operations were cancelled at Lincoln hospital with 19 more at Boston Pilgrim and five at Grantham,

Trust managers say they are doing their best to manage the situation.

Janet King of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We have around 50,000 patients a year from our waiting lists coming in for surgery and regrettably a small number have to be cancelled from time to time.

"Obviously this time of year is a peak period when the number of people being admitted as emergencies increase and the number of cancellations increases."

Ms King said the hospitals did try to anticipate the rise by scheduling fewer operations but could not always predict the numbers.

She said: "This is not an exact science but we hope no one would have to wait more than a month after having their operations cancelled."

The Trust apologised for any inconvenience caused and said more beds should be made available during the winter.