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Poole Hospital in Dorset has closed its doors to visitors in an effort to stop the spread of flu and winter bugs.

The hospital said visitors were banned from all of its wards, except in exceptional circumstances.

Some wards are closed to new admissions because patients are suffering from Norovirus, a winter sickness bug.

Anyone wishing to visit the hospital must seek permission from nursing staff before arriving.

Outpatient appointments are continuing as normal but anyone with coughs and colds, or anyone who has had a stomach bug in the last three days, is asked to stay away.

Infection control matron Denise Richards said: "In order to prevent these illnesses from spreading further amongst vulnerable patients and staff, we have closed all wards to visitors unless there are exceptional circumstances.

"Relatives should check with the hospital before setting out to visit patients.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and ask everyone to co-operate fully."