A sickness outbreak has forced the closure of a ward at one of north Cumbria's main hospitals.
Ward 4 at the West Cumberland in Whitehaven was closed earlier today due to the norovirus.
Visiting has been suspended until further notice.
The elderly care ward is not expected to reopen until Monday at the earliest, said a spokesman for the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital.
Norovirus is also known as the winter vomiting bug but can be caught at any time of the year.
Symptoms include suddenly feeling sick, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people may also experience fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.
To ease symptoms, drink plenty of fluids, take paracetamol for fever or aches and pains, get lots of rest, eat plain foods and use special rehydration drinks.
The hospital was previously affected by a norovirus outbreak in April.
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