Holiday camp giant Butlin's has defended a decision not to shut a Somerset resort after hundreds of visitors were struck by a stomach bug.

Some holidaymakers at the Minehead camp claimed they were not warned about the outbreak of the highly-contagious Norwalk virus.

The number of confirmed cases continues to rise, with the total standing at 223 on Thursday.

But managers claimed that was only 1% of the 20,000 people who have passed through the camp in the last week.

If they've felt unhappy about staying, we've rearranged their holiday

Resort director Bryan Leaker

They argue it would have been impossible to warn everyone in advance and have defended their decision not to shut the resort.

Resort director Bryan Leaker said: "What we have done is advise guests here and in some cases sent guests home if they've been unwell.

"If they've felt unhappy about staying, we've rearranged their holiday and behaved very properly."

Staff were continuing to cleanse and disinfect every chalet where there had been an outbreak, then each was kept empty for three days, he said.

The local health authority had the power to close the resort, but did not consider it necessary

Public health consultant Dr Tony Morkane said: "We were happy with the control measures being put in place."