Some hospital wards have closed after a norovirus outbreak.

The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said that a few medical wards at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester have been affected.

These areas have now been closed to visitors to stop the further spread of the stomach bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The illness can be spread through close contact with an infected individual or by interacting with contaminated surfaces and food.

READ MORE: Unused area at hospital transformed into new garden

A spokesman for the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said: "Following an outbreak of norovirus, some of our medical wards at St Richard’s Hospital have now been closed.

"To prevent further spread, the affected wards have been closed and we unfortunately must restrict visiting in these areas for exceptional circumstances only.

"To check if your loved one’s ward is affected, or if you are unsure whether you can visit or not, please get in touch by calling the ward directly and an appropriate staff member will best advise you."

The trust has urged people to take action to stop the outbreak getting worse.

People have been told to only go to A&E for critical emergencies and to use NHS 111 for non-life-threatening incidents.

Anyone with symptoms of norovirus should also avoid visiting hospitals.