Five hospital wards at Chorley hospital are not admitting patients after an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug Norovirus.

Chorley and South Ribble Hospital have asked relatives and friends of patients to avoid visiting unless absolutely necessary.

The hospital have implemented infection control policies which come into operation as soon as an outbreak is confirmed.

The measures include restricting admissions to the wards, reminding all visitors to wash their hands and providing information sheets about the virus.

Sue Reed, nursing director at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Norovirus is a relatively mild but common virus, which occurs throughout the community and in hospitals.

It is highly contagious but doesn’t last long, usually between 24-36 hours.

“We would like to reassure patients that we are doing all we can to minimise the outbreak.

“Anyone experiencing symptoms should not visit the hospital.”