Plans to ban visitors from taking flowers onto wards at a Black Country hospital have been given the thumbs-up by governors.

Governors at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, ratified the proposals in a meeting last night.

The ban on blooms will stretch to all wards — except maternity — because of the risk of infection.

Bosses say flower water carries bacteria and needs to be cleaned out regularly and thoroughly to prevent it harbouring bugs

Denise McMahon, nursing director, said: “Two pieces of equipment worth £10,000 have already been lost when vases have been knocked over and water spilt.

“There is computer equipment attached to patients’ beds now and it’s just not acceptable for it to be damaged.”

Bill Etheridge, governor representing North Dudley, said members of the public were “angry” about the ban.

“It’s all very well ratifying it but they need to be told why it is happening.”