MORTUARY capacity at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Glan Clwyd Hospital has become "limited" in recent weeks.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board says its temporary storage facility is currently on "standby", with Mochdre Commerce Park earmarked in April as a location for a temporary morgue during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dr Chris Stockport, executive director of primary and community care at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "Mortuary capacity at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and Glan Clwyd Hospital has become limited in recent weeks.

"The temporary body storage facility remains on standby, and can be stood up at short notice if required. Working together with partner organisations, we’re carefully monitoring capacity to ensure that we can continue to provide a respectful and dignified holding point for people’s loved ones before funerals take place.”

Iwan Davies, chief executive of Conwy County Borough Council, said: "The temporary body storage facility is not currently in use, and the facility has been on stand-by throughout the pandemic.

"The facility was set up during the first wave of coronavirus to ease pressure if needed on the region’s hospitals and funeral directors with the rise in coronavirus-related deaths.

"North Wales Councils, in liaison with partners including the Coroner, North Wales Police, Health, Funeral Directors and Registrars, monitor the situation closely."