THE County's hospitals face visiting restrictions over New Year to stop a norovirus outbreak from spreading.

Linden Ward at Bromyard Community Hospital has today (Mon) been confirmed as closed to visitors to prevent the spread of diarrhoea and vomiting affecting some patients.

Wye Valley NHS Trust says as any visiting to the hospital itself should be for essential appointments only.

While actual restrictions have not yet gone beyond Bromyard, all the county's hospitals are now on norovirus standby.

The trust says visitors are expected to be free of diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms for at least 48 hours, while young children or "vulnerable"  elderly should seriously consider the necessity of visiting at all.