YORK District Hospital managers today appealed for visitors who have suffered sickness and diarrhoea to stay away from its grounds.

They made the call as they struggle to beat a virus which has caused the cancellation of 200 non-urgent operations since last week.

The bug, known as a Norwalk-type virus, has spread to three more wards since Tuesday.

There are 23 patients and 11 staff affected, with a total of six wards closed to new admissions.

This is a reduction of six patients suffering from virus since Tuesday, but hospital chiefs admit it is proving difficult to clear.

Now they say anyone who has had symptoms matching those of the virus should stay away for two days after their symptoms have cleared up to prevent further spread.

George Wood, deputy chief executive at York Health Services NHS Trust, said: "We are pleased that the overall number of patients affected has reduced but we are disappointed that the virus is proving so difficult to clear.

"We are asking all visitors who have had the symptoms, which are diarrhoea and vomiting, or who have been in contact with someone who has, not to come to the hospital until they or the person they have been in contact with has been symptom-free for 48 hours."

Norwalk-type infections are easily spread from person to person but symptoms usually resolve within 24 hours.