RESTRICTIONS are in place in two wards at Musgrove Park Hospital due to a winter diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Visitors are being urged to follow advice from health bosses following the presence of norovirus.

Visiting to Eliot Ward and Gould Ward is currently limited to close family and friends only.

People entering the wards should use alcohol gel on arrival, follow any other instructions given by staff and not to visit other areas of the hospital after the visit.

A hospital spokesman said: "Please note that alcohol gel alone is not effective against norovirus.

"If visiting a ward affected by norovirus hands should be washed with soap and water before leaving the ward.

"If you have any questions please contact the ward directly."

People who may have had any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the last two days should stay away from Musgrove.

And over the winter, children under 11 should not go to see patients in the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

People are being asked to ring to discuss with the ward manager if they feel it is essential for children to visit.