Five hospital wards at two Kent hospitals have been closed because of an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus.

Two wards at Maidstone Hospital and three at the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells were closed after there were nine suspected cases.

Wards are expected to be reopened on Wednesday.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is urging relatives not to make a visit if they are showing symptoms of norovirus that include diarrhoea and sickness.

The virus can last up to three days and people can be infectious for 48 hours before any symptoms appear.