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A Russian TV reporter sneaked into the Salisbury hospital where ex-spy Sergei Skripal is recovering from last month's nerve agent attack - and the results were comical.

The reporter, for Russia's Ren TV, claims to have been forced to delete his footage by police - but managed to recover the data on the camera.

He apparently entered the hospital in the early hours of the morning, and reported staff were "not afraid to wear ordinary clothing".

Wandering the halls, he said the hospital featured "lots of coffee machines and paintings on the walls - but nevertheless, there are a lot of closed doors."

While he couldn't get access to the department where Skripal is being treated, he did point out a stark warning on the department's door.

"It's securely closed," he said, grimly. "And here's a sign: No entry - keep your distance. It's the only protection from this lethal substance England is saying is Novichok."

A close up of the sign reveals it reads: "Caution: Slippery Floor Surface!"

Another Alan Partridge-esque moment saw the reporter approach two nurses in the corridor of the hospital.

He asked them for information about the skripals, but they replied: "We don't really know anything."

After around 15 minutes wandering around the building, the reporter was stopped by security, who asked him to stop filming and leave.

He was later confronted by police outside the hospital, who he says asked him to delete the footage from his camera.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "Wiltshire Police were called by security staff at Salisbury District Hospital shortly after 5am this morning (11 April 2018).

"Officers attended and spoke to two men in the reception area, who were believed to be news reporters. They were asked to leave the hospital and did so.

"No arrests were made."