RESIDENTS have finally returned to Belhaven Hospital, five months after doors were closed following a bacteria outbreak.

Patients were evacuated from the Dunbar hospital after bacteria was found in a number of taps last August.

Residents and staff were then transferred to Haddington’s East Lothian Community Hospital and additional cleaning was carried out.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) confirmed patients had now returned and were "delighted to be home".

During the closure, “remedial works” were carried out at the hospital.

Contractors were on the site towards the end of last year, upgrading various toilet facilities.