The Kent and Sussex Hospital has closed seven wards to new patients

Eight wards at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill, Surrey, have been shut after 51 patients and nine staff were affected by the Norovirus.

In Kent, seven wards at the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells have been closed and in Sussex, Crawley Hospital was forced to shut one ward.

Health bosses are urging relatives to delay visits unless they are essential.

Deep cleaning

On Wednesday, four wards at the Kent and Sussex Hospital had closed after the first case was spotted between Christmas and the New Year.

A hospital spokesman said on Thursday that the virus had continued to spread.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust has said robust hygiene measures are in place.

On Tuesday, Dartford's Livingstone Hospital was closed to new admissions after 12 patients contracted the virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

And the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury was affected by the bug before Christmas.

The majority of wards were closed for deep cleaning and about 150 patients and staff were affected in total.

The hospital eventually re-opened on Boxing Day.

Last month, eight cases were also reported at Margate's Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, which introduced limited visiting hours.