Two wards at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and one at Bispham have been hit by the highly-contagious norovirus.

The Gazette revealed last week how visiting hours at both hospitals were restricted to just two hours each day in an attempt to contain the outbreak.

Those wards limiting new admissions are now in the process of returning to normal.

Hospital bosses say just one ward – Ward 18 at Blackpool Vic – is now affected by the virus and seven patients are currently infected.

Poorly visitors are being urged to stay away completely and relatives and friends can only see patients between 3pm and 5pm every day.

And only two people per bed are allowed at any one time.

The visiting restrictions apply to all wards, excluding the women's and children's department and critical care.

Members of the public who do visit are asked to make sure they wash their hands when entering and leaving wards, to stop the infection from spreading.

A spokeswoman for Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "To date, 67 patients in total have been affected by the virus, as well as approximately 15 staff.

"Many of these patients were already symptomatic on admission.

"The restriction on visiting will be reviewed when all wards are back to normal."

The illness – which causes sickness and diarrhoea – is common at this time of the year, especially in hospitals, nursing homes, hotels and cruise ships.

It is easily passed from one person to another and lasts up to 48 hours. Symptoms usually begin about 12 to 48 hours after becoming infected, starting with a sudden onset of nausea, followed by vomiting.

It can be spread in a number of ways, including contact with an infected person or consuming contaminated food.

Wards at The Vic have been closed for the last two years because of the bug.

In November, two of Blackpool's most well-known hotels – The Savoy and The Metropole – were also hit by norovirus.