The first floor ward, which mainly provides orthopaedic services, will be relocated amid fears that patients can not be evacuated effectively.

The decision was taken by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to ensure the safety of staff and patients following a recent fire service inspection of the hospital.

Test evacuations found that the Trust was unable to get upper floor patients out quickly, reliably or safely enough, and proposals to install extra fire doors were rejected.

Trust Director for Community Hospitals Steve Russell said: "It is vitally important that we can evacuate wards quickly and effectively.

"We can't compromise on this and therefore need to make the changes we feel are necessary to ensure our staff and patients are in a safe environment.

"We will work hard to minimise disruption to services, patients and staff."

The Trust is still looking into alternative locations for the ward, but it is unlikely to stay in Morpeth and some staff will be transferred.

However, local residents have been assured that their needs will continue to be met at the hospital and rehabilitation and palliative care will be provided on the ground floor of the building.

Mr Russell added: "We are currently looking for a short-term option, the longer-term plan is that the ward will relocate as planned to Wansbeck General.

"This decision was made last year following a public consultation about hospital services in Morpeth."

The future of the hospital is still uncertain following these discussions.

Health bosses are seeking to build a new NHS 'super surgery' in the town to accommodate primary care, diagnostic services, such as x-rays, ultrasound scans and MRI, and outpatient clinics.

The Trust is hoping to provide beds in a nursing home for end of life care and rehabilitation for Morpeth residents and will transfer stroke services and other inpatient beds to Wansbeck General.