The boss of a water park which has been shut for six days is breathing a sigh of relief after being given the all-clear to reopen.

Visitors to Whitemills Wake Water and Aqua Park came down with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever - leading to health officials carrying out tests at the Sandwich attraction.

The reason for the mystery bug was not known, but experts at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have now confirmed the illness to be norovirus.

When an infected person enters a pool, the virus is difficult to contain, with other swimmers inadvertently catching the illness.

Wayne Cooper, director of Whitemills, said: "I knew it wasn't to do with us as our water is clean.

"We can't know if someone comes here with norovirus.

"It's a relief and good news that it's not to do with our water, and we can reopen.

"The last week has cost us tens of thousands of pounds, so I'm glad to be opening again tomorrow."

UKHSA has worked with Dover District Council and other agencies in researching the norovirus outbreak.

The agency says "no concerns were identified on initial testing of the water" and says the park is safe to reopen.

"Given the extensive testing and cleaning completed at the park, and the infection control processes in place, the risk of further cases is believed to be low," a statement released this evening reads.

Dr Anjali Pai, consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said: “It now seems likely that these were cases of norovirus which can be picked up in any setting, however, the risk can be reduced by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, and drying them, particularly after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before preparing and consuming food.

“Our advice to anyone with symptoms of norovirus is to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and stay away from work and social activities until you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours to prevent any spread.

"If symptoms continue, please contact your GP and where possible provide a stool sample for testing."

About 20 people are thought to have suffered from the bug after visiting the water park last week.

A Dover woman, who did not want to be named, said her 13-year-old son ended up in hospital two days after visiting.

He then passed the mystery infection to her even though she had not been in the water.

She told KentOnline: "He couldn't stop being ill and it was the worst sickness I've ever had."

The Whitemill Water and Aqua Park in Sandwich opened on July 9.

The park has inflatable climbing frames and slides in the centre of a lake which visitors can explore as well as a range of activities such as open water swimming and stand-up paddle boarding with special sessions such as ladies' mornings and a kids' club.

The centre is on the corner of Ash Road and the A256 Sandwich Bypass, and also has a lakeside restaurant.