World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has paid tribute to the hospital staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a supportive video message, Joshua, who was born in Watford, and grew up on the Meriden, thanked those at Watford General Hospital who are treating Covid-19 patients.

Joshua said Watford is "very very close to his heart" and chuckled as he remembered the number of times he had been cared for at Watford General during his teenage years.

He said: "I was actually born in Watford General Hospital so you guys have taken good care of me since a child and I have been in that hospital many times as a teenager, and you guys have stitched me up and patched me up and I'm here still fighting today, so you are appreciated from day one to mid teens to young adult life."

Joshua says he hopes his message to staff at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust can make a "big difference" and wanted them to know they are "appreciated".

He added: "I just want to say thank you again. You are loved, you are appreciated, you're valued and you guys will go down in history.

"Thank you so much. Let's continue to fight Covid-19. God bless you."

The 53 second video clip was shared by the hospital trust which runs Watford General Hospital.

A grateful West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust tweeted: "KAPOW! World champion boxer @anthonyfjoshua has some fighting talk for #TeamWestHerts staff in the battle against Covid-19.

"Thank you Anthony, just the boost our staff need to come out swingin'!"