HEALTH bosses closed a ward at Leigh infirmary after an outbreak of the winter vomiting disease.

Visitors were asked not to bring children into the hospital to avoid catching the highly contagious bug.

Ward Two at the infirmary was closed for 48 hours over the weekend with patients suffering sickness and diarrhoea -- believed to be the winter vomiting virus, Norwalk.

The same disease forced the closure of six wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital in October. A total of 54 patients and 24 members of staff were affected..

The Royal Bolton Hospital is now said to be operating as usual but they are still reporting "sporadic" cases of the illness.

One visitor to Leigh infirmary said that she was asked to wash her hands before entering and leaving the ward.

A spokesman for the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust revealed that the ward at Leigh was being re-opened this afternoon.

The spokesman said: "Gastroenteritis is prevalent within the North West and this is having a significant impact on the availability of beds within the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust and at other trusts in the area.

"Infection control precautions have been implemented for some time within the hospitals but in order to help control the spread of infection, we are appealing to relatives to be sensible."

"We are requesting that anyone who has symptoms of diarrhoea according to health chiefs from the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust."