Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been hit by an outbreak of norovirus, the 'winter vomiting bug', and has restricted visiting on some wards.

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has announced that to try and contain the infection, it is restricting visiting on wards 3, 19 and 20.

The trust is asking families and friends to avoid visiting either of its hospitals, QEH and University Hospital Lewisham, for at least 48 hours.

Norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug, is extremely contagious, especially in places such as schools, shopping centres and hospitals, and causes vomiting and diarrhoea, typically for around two days.

The virus is much more prevalent during the winter months, leading to hospitals like the Queen Elizabeth to advise anyone suffering from a cold, infection, diarrhoea and vomiting to stay at home and only visit when you've been symptom-free for 48 hours.

On Monday, Public Health England put out a cold weather alert, urging people to look out for those at-risk, and hospital attendances are reportedly rising.

At the start of the month, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust had its "most challenging day in its history," with Greenwich Council leader Danny Thorpe revealing that QEH was short of 122 beds.

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust also asked those who do come to the hospital to wash their hands frequently when visiting patients.

The statement on the Trust's website read: "Due to an outbreak of norovirus at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), and in order to contain the spread of infection we are restricting visiting on wards 3,19 and 20. If you have a relative/ friend on any of these wards please contact the ward before visiting.

"We are committed to reducing the risk of infection at our Trust and keeping our patients safe. Please do not visit either of our hospitals for at least 48 hours if you have symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting, ensuring you limit cross-infection by washing your hands frequently."