CINDERFORD’S Dilke Memorial Hospital has been closed down down to an attack of winter vomiting bug or Norovirus.

Ward patients have been transferred to other units and no new admissions will be accepted until the outbreak has run its course and the premises fully cleaned.

Although not normally serious the illness is unpleasant and highly infectious.

Sam Lonnen, Infection Control Lead at Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, said: "This winter our hospitals have largely avoided cases of Norovirus but unfortunately there has been an outbreak at the Dilke in the past few days.

"This prompted us to close the ward on Friday to help control the spread of infection.

"While Norovirus usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours it is most unpleasant and debilitating.

“Outbreaks in hospitals usually last around a week. When there have been no new cases for 48 hours or more the ward will undergo a thorough deep clean before we accept new admissions.”

There’s no cure for Norovirus, so you have to let it run its course.”The hospital is still open for outpatients appointments and the minor injuries unit remains open.