Former US president Gerald Ford in hospital

Former US President Gerald Ford, suffering from “a horrible cold”, was in the hospital in California today for what his chief of staff called routine medical tests.

Ford, 92, was admitted to Eisenhower Medical Centre late yesterday and was expected to be released tomorrow, spokeswoman Penny Circle said.

“He’s in for medical tests, routine tests” Circle said are scheduled each December.

“He’s had a horrible cold and he still hasn’t gotten over it.”