TWO wards have been closed at the Royal Bolton Hospital in an effort to contain a winter vomiting bug.

Hospital chiefs have been forced to close two orthopaedic wards after 10 patients were struck by what is believed to be Norwalk virus which causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

Neighbouring Hope Hospital, Salford, has also closed seven of its wards because of the suspected virus.

The Bolton wards, dealing with 50 patients of all ages, will only be re-opened to new patients once the patients are clear of the suspected virus for more than 48 hours.

Health chiefs are asking visitors and staff to use special gel on their hands before entering these two wards to prevent the spread of the bug.

A Royal Bolton Hospital spokesman said: "No staff have reported being ill with the suspected virus. However, two sets of families of patients have rang in to report that they also have the sickness.

"We can't confirm exactly that it is the virus and samples have been sent to the Manchester Royal Infirmary virus lab for results.

"To minimise the spread of the suspected virus, a hand gel is being used on all the wards. We must stress that anyone with sickness and diarrhoea should not visit patients at the hospital."

Seven patients on one ward and three on the other are being nursed separately by special teams of nurses, although they are not in isolation.

The action means patients waiting for operations will today be told that their medical procedures have been cancelled.