The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made friends with 10-week-old cockapoo Alfie as they visited a hospital to thank staff for their work during the pandemic.

       The pup, which is being trained to support patients and colleagues at Clitheroe Community Hospital, in Lancashire, liked the Duke so much, it even gave him a lick on the cheek.

       The Duchess also enjoyed a cuddle with the animal, which she described as “so sweet” - but said the family’s own pet may be a little jealous at the attention given to Alfie.

       "Our dog is going to be very upset," she said.

       The couple also met GPs, nurses and patients at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

       "We're so grateful for all your hard work,” the Duke, who has worked as an air ambulance pilot, told staff.

       "I'm not sure there are enough words to say how grateful everyone is for what you have done."

       The Duke and Duchess are joint royal patrons of NHS Charities Together and heard about how the area was one of the country’s worst affected by Covid-19.

       A ￡30,000 grant from NHS Charities Together allowed the hospital charity ELHT&Me to fund equipment and infrastructure for the staff wellbeing team, as well as the new therapy dog.

       Professor Eileen Fairhurst, trust chairman, said the visit was “really uplifting for our staff”, adding it was a “real morale boost that their work has been recognised by this high profile visit”.

       She added: “It's testament to the hard work and commitment of all our colleagues in the trust in the real challenges and difficulties we have faced since the pandemic.

       "We have been hardest hit in this part of the country and it has really not gone away."

       Catriona Logan, director of operations, said the Duchess was "really interested" to know how the pandemic had been for staff.

       She said: "We talked about how difficult it was for patients and families being separated by visiting restrictions.

       "She was really engaging."

       Lisa Kay, intensive home support service clinical lead, said the Duke’s words were a “great to hear, because it's not every day you get a Royal visit to say thank you”.