A HOSPITAL ward has been closed because of a winter vomiting bug.

NHS chiefs took the decision to temporarily shut Diamond Ward at Ellesmere Port Hospital to new admissions after a rise in the number of cases locally.

Now they are warning borough residents to be on their guard against the spread of the Norovirus bug.

A spokeswoman for Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), which manages the Chester Road hospital, explained: “We are not banning visitors to Diamond Ward.

“But we would ask family and friends of patients on the ward to consider not visiting for the next couple of days.

“If they do visit the ward they must use the alcohol rub before and after visiting.

“Children should be kept away from the ward for the next few days if at all possible.”

Norovirus is often referred to as the winter vomiting bug, but sufferers also experience diarrhoea.

The illness does not last long and people usually recover in anything from 12 to 60 hours without treatment other than rest and lots of fluids.

- Anyone concerned about the bug should call their GP service or NHS Direct for advice on 0845 4647.