An outbreak of the norovirus, otherwise known at the winter vomitting bug, has forced the closure of a ward at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Officials say the bug has been contracted by seven patients on St Lawrence general medical ward which is now been closed to new admissions.

Hospital spokesman Jim Murray said: "The norovirus is quite common in the community generally at this time of year and being airborne, it is inevitable that from time to time, the infection is brought into the

hospital.

"The process means we wait 72 hours for the symptoms to subside and then the ward will be deep cleaned."