Staff at the crisis-hit NHS walk-in centre have been told they will receive their Christmas pay packets after all, as a search continues for a new provider for the service.

Following the collapse of One Norwich Practices (ONP) staff were previously told the organisation may not be able to pay them beyond the end of November.

NHS bosses are still searching for a new provider to take over the services of the company, which include the walk-in centre, Norwich's busiest GP practice and vulnerable adults services.

But ONP workers, who threatened to walk out of their jobs, have been assured they will receive their December pay packets after all.

The collapse was announced in October, with directors of the group saying it was no longer financially sustainable - leaving NHS bosses scrambling to commission a replacement.

This search is now understood to be nearing its conclusion - with officials currently undergoing a 'due diligence' process to iron out final details with prospective replacement providers.

A spokesman for NHS Norfolk and Waveney integrated care board (ICB) said: "Since the announcement in October, the ICB and ONP's immediate priorities have been to ensure that disruption to patient care is minimised, to protect the wellbeing of staff and work to ensure their continued employment within the local healthcare system.

"In recent week, teams from the ICB have been working to identify suitable alternative providers who can take over the contracts that ONP hold on behalf of the ICB.

"All parties recognise that this is a difficult time for One Norwich staff and patients who rely on these services.

"The ICB and ONP are doing everything possible to ensure the safe transition of staff and services to alternative providers and more information on those arrangements will be communicated in the coming days and week."