An outbreak of the norovirus at the William Harvey Hospital has forced the closure of a ward.

Five cases of the diarrhoea and vomiting stomach bug, also know as the "winter vomiting bug", have been confirmed at the Willesborough hospital.

A spokesman for East Kent Hospitals Trust, which runs the William Harvey, said it was their first outbreak this winter.

It is understood the Cambridge Ward is closed.

She said: "We can confirm that a ward is currently closed to new admissions at the William Harvey Hospital due to Norovirus.

"As soon as the first symptomatic patients were suspected of having Norovirus, the Trust set in place established and rigorous infection control procedures to contain the virus and prevent it spreading.

"The ward will remain closed to admissions until the Infection Prevention and Control Team advises that it can be reopened.

"We would rather not confirm which ward."