Seven cases of MRSA have been confirmed at a Kent hospital.

The outbreak on the Spruce ward of Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, has emerged today.

The potentially deadly condition is resistant to many common antibiotics and often occurs in hospitals or nursing homes.

It can be caught through immediate contact or by touching surfaces.

While it can often live harmlessly on skin it can cause painful sores and swelling, and in more serious cases, fever-like symptoms.

A hospital spokesman said: "Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust can confirm that Darent Valley Hospital has seven patients who have picked up MRSA on their skin whilst in the hospital, they are not unwell as a result of the MRSA but we will be instituting increased infection control procedures to ensure this is contained."