PEOPLE ignoring social distancing rules at the Clap For Carers event at Russells Hall Hospital have sparked safety fears.

The nationwide event in honour of NHS staff and key workers returned for the fourth time on Thursday and drew a large number of people outside Russells Hall Hospital.

Video from the Clap For Carers event shows crowds of people gathered outside the hospital to applaud the NHS and to watch local singer Alexandra Darby, who performed outside the hospital for staff as a thank you for their efforts.

The singer live streamed her performance for people at home, but people still gathered to watch.

Concerns have been raised that the well-meaning event did not abide by social distancing rules, on the same day that lockdown was extended in the UK for a further three weeks.

People on social media have also called into the question the decision to allow the performance to take place outside the hospital.

A tearful Alexandra told the News she believed that she would be performing from the car park up to staff in the windows and she said she was surprised when more people arrived.

Alexandra said: "It was for NHS staff, not anybody else. I expected to turn up on the car park and have nobody around me. It was live streamed for people at home.

"The police were there so if the social distancing was an issue the police should have patrolled."

She added she was not paid for the event and the performance raised more than £360 for the Dudley Group NHS Charity.

People living near to the hospital have shared their worries that the weekly event, which takes place across the country, is growing in size at Russells Hall and could pose a risk to public safety.

Resident Darren Woodberry, who lives near the hospital, said he feared the weekly events are becoming a health and safety issue as more people gather at the hospital to give thanks.

He told the News: "It’s not a complaint about the NHS, it’s about the danger. I'm all for supporting the NHS but we’re supposed to be social distancing.

"There are cars parked on double yellow lines, police cars, ambulances all the way down and the general public up on the grass verge. It’s a health and safety issue."

He added he was worried about people crossing the road when drivers are forced to park on double yellow lines due to the area outside the hospital becoming blocked.

Nationally, the Clap For Carers event on Westminster Bridge in London has also come under fire amid concerns people were not standing the required two metres apart during the applause.

Responding to the presence of the police at the event at Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Sally Bourner, said: “Our officers are in support of the great work NHS staff and other key workers do every day and officers across the force have been taking part in the Clap for Carers initiative where possible and appropriate.

“Officers did not attend Russells Hall Hospital last night specifically to join the applause. They were patrolling around the hospital – which is a key location for police presence during this national health crisis – and took a moment to pause to show their appreciation.

“We take social distancing very seriously and are working hard across our communities to engage with people to explain and encourage adherence with the restrictions”

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, has been contacted for comment.