Ten wards have been hit by norovirus at two Norfolk hospitals.

Visitors are being urged to wash their hands thoroughly when visiting hospital, as the outbreak of norovirus continues on five wards at the James Paget University Hospital.

The Gorleston hospital has restricted access to the wards to try to stop the spread of the highly infectious winter vomiting bug.

Several patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (N&N) have also been hit with five wards affected.

The N&N said more people were coming into the hospital with the virus.

Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as a raised temperature and headache.

The hospitals are asking visitors not to visit loved ones in hospital or nursing homes if they have had symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the previous 48 hours.

Emma McKay, N&N director of nursing, said: 'At this time of year, the picture is changing on a daily basis and we are likely to see more cases of this infectious illness over the next few weeks.'

Director of nursing at the James Paget Liz Libiszewski said: 'We are committed to controlling the spread of infections in our hospital and have a dedicated and highly skilled infection control team that ensures all staff are aware of the symptoms and control measures for this virus.'