A WARD at Colchester General Hospital has been closed after all 11 patients came down with the Norovirus bug.

Layer Marney Ward, a medical ward in Gainsborough Wing which specialises in treating chest complaints, closed to new patients for Monday.

Although the bug generally lasts no longer than 48 hours, the ward will need to be deep cleaned and will not reopen before next Monday.

Visitors who have had symptoms - diahhrea and vomiting - in the last 48 hours have been urged to stay away from the hospital.