The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford has said it is not admitting new patients to one of its wards because of an outbreak of a winter vomiting bug.

The surgical emergency ward has been affected by the bug, which leaves patients suffers diarrhoea and vomiting.

Staff decided on Friday that new patients should not be admitted to the ward.

Helen Peggs, a spokesman for the hospital, said: “This has not spread and is not causing profound problems in other parts of the hospital.

“The bug is not very pleasant but the patients affected are not seriously ill as a result - they are recovering.

“If visitors to the hospital have had infections, or have come into contact with them, we are asking them to be considerate and stay away for the time being.”

Ms Peggs was unable to say how many patients have been affected.