A Butlins holiday camp said it hoped it had stopped the spread of a stomach bug which affected almost 200 of its staff and visitors.

The illness hit the Butlins holiday park in Minehead, Somerset, on Tuesday and by Friday night had left 195 people on the site ill with sickness and diarrhoea.

All those who were affected by the bug, believed to be an airborne virus spread by human contact, were asked to leave the holiday park on Friday morning before the weekly new set of guests arrived.

A spokeswoman for Butlins said a thorough cleaning operation had been launched with the help of environmental health officials to eradicate the virus.

Safe holiday

She said the measures appeared to have worked as no new cases had been reported on Saturday - the first clear day since the outbreak began.

The spokeswoman added that all those guests who were asked to leave before the end of their holiday were given a full refund and offered a free short break at another Butlins camp.

"Butlins' primary concern is to ensure that all guests and staff are well looked after and have everything that they need," she said.

"It is expected that the new arrivals will be able to book in and enjoy their holiday safely and as planned."