Visitors were banned from three Midland hospitals, namely City Hospital, in Winson Green, Sandwell Hospital and Wolverhampton's New Cross, and the largest hospital trusts closed wards to new patients due to a severe outbreak of the norovirus bug.

Visitors struck with vomiting and diarrhea has been tested to determine if they were suffering from norovirus.

Lisa Dunn, Hospital Director said, "We currently have one ward at Heartlands and four wards at Good Hope Hospital that are closed for new admissions. As a precautionary measure, visiting restrictions apply on all of our wards, across all three of our sites".

The trust plans to take steps such as limiting the visitors to help stop more infections come into the premises. Infected areas will remain closed for 48 hours after the last symptoms have been dispersed.

There have already been reported numerous outbreaks of the illness, called the 'winter vomiting bug'.

The Health Protection Agency put a warning for anyone suffering with the symptoms to avoid going to school, work, hospitals and other communal buildings.

Patients have been advised to remain at home, drink plenty of fluids, wash hands regularly, disinfect toilets and wait until 48 hours after the last bouts of vomiting and diarrhea have faded before going out.