The Exeter hospital has dealt with a rise in flu-like illness

There was a 10% rise compared with the same period last year.

The hospital has already postponed some planned operations.

Plymouth's Derriford Hospital has also experienced problems over the festive period, being forced to close three of its 40 wards because of a Norwalk-like virus.

Unprecedented rise

The virus has been confirmed in one of the wards, while the other two have been closed as a precautionary measure.

Diarrhoea and vomiting are among the symptoms of the virus.

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has been admitting people with underlying problems who have also been affected by flu-like illnesses.

It is asking visitors who have had flu or sickness to stay away for the time being.

The hospital's trust said it had seen an unprecedented rise in emergency admissions since the end of last summer.

Three wards at Derriford have been closed as a precaution

Derriford Hospital has also issued a request to visitors to stay away for the time being if they are feeling unwell.

The hospital says it is keen to prevent any spread of the Norwalk virus.

Jill Swales, lead nurse for infection control at Derriford, explained: "We are urging anyone planning to come to visit the hospital to help us by not coming in if they are feeling unwell or if they are recovering from sickness or diarrhoea, until at least two days after their symptoms have gone.

"This is because once Norwalk has been introduced into a hospital ward or department, it creates huge problems because of the difficulty in trying to control and prevent further spread of this very infectious virus around the whole hospital.