Only one ward is now closed to new patients at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting disease.

Earlier this week the hospital was struggling to find beds for new patients as those affected by the Norovirus bug cannot be discharged until they are clear of symptoms for 48 hours.

As many as nine wards were closed at the peak of the illness.

Visiting to elderly and medical wards has been restricted to next of kin only and the L&D has set up two outbreak wards for patients with the virus.

Also nurses are practising cohort nursing, which means if they are looking after patients with the highly contagious illness they do not tend to other patients to try to avoid it spreading.

Maternity and children's wards, as well as wards for patients undergoing surgery, are unaffected by the Norovirus and normal visiting hours are in place.

But nobody should visit the hospital if they feel unwell.

Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis - diarrhoea and vomiting - in England and Wales.

People struck down by the bug usually fully recover within three days and there are no long term effects.