FOUR wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital remained shut to new patients today due to a suspected outbreak of the Norwalk virus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

Hospital bosses say they are continuing to monitor the situation. They have also received reports that further patients have developed symptoms of the winter vomiting bug.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "All wards which were shut will remain closed but the situation is constantly under review."

The wards closed include two orthopeadic wards, a cardiology ward and the six-bed coronary care unit.

It is thought that 20 people, including four staff, have been struck down with the bug which also closed seven wards at Hope Hospital, Salford at the weekend.