A HIGHLY contagious stomach bug has forced three branches of a major bank to close.

Employees of Barclays Bank in Maidstone were sent home after staff were struck down with gastroenteritis, an infectious illness which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The outbreak started on Thursday when staff at Barclays main branch in High Street, Maidstone, and at Barclays in Rainham, fell ill. The buildings were deep cleaned and reopened the next day.

But on Friday further outbreaks at another High Street branch in Maidstone and at Barclays in Sutton Road in the town meant a decision was made to close the three branches for the bank holiday weekend.

It is thought 10 members of staff have caught the bug and a spokesman for the bank said the buildings would remain closed to allow them to recover.

He said: "It was thought to be in everyone's best interests to close the branches for staff to get better and to try and prevent the spread of infection to members of the public."

The spokesman said it was not clear how the outbreak had started.

He said: "Nobody knows where these bugs come from, but they are very virrilant which is why the decision to close the branches was made.

"We have consulted our healthcare advisors and the local authority to make sure we are dealing with the outbreak in the correct way."

Are you employed by Barclays bank in Maidstone? Call the Kent Messenger newsdesk on 01622 695666.