Two wards at West Suffolk Hospital have closed to new admissions after patients showed symptoms of norovirus.

The hospital took the proactive decision to close ward G3 on Christmas Day after seven patients showed symptoms of the highly contagious diarrhoea and vomiting virus. That number had reduced to three on Monday.

Ward F3 also closed after four patients showed norovirus symptoms, while a further patient on F3 was in isolation in a single room.

Portable sinks, which makes it easier for visitors to clean their hands with soap and water, were stationed outside both wards for use when people arrive and leave.

Nichole Day, executive chief nurse, said: 'Norovirus is very infectious and every year there are cases in the community which transfer to the hospital.

'Because the virus has an incubation period of several days, people are often unaware that they are carrying it until after they have passed it on.

'We would advise anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting to stay away from the hospital for at least 72 hours after they have recovered, even if they feel better. Otherwise they run the risk of unknowingly passing the highly contagious illness on to someone who is already sick.

'Anyone who visits the hospital should be vigilant and take care to clean their hands'