Public health officers visited the Metropole after what is believed to be another case of the highly-infectious Norovirus.

A number of guests at the seafront hotel – including an award-winning ballet troupe – are believed to have been hit by the bug.

Around 500 dance lovers were left disappointed after balletLORENT's final performance of its production of Angelmoth at Blackpool Grand Theatre was cancelled at the last minute on Saturday night.

It was initially thought the problem was food poisoning, but now public health officials suspect the illness may have been caused by Norovirus, more commonly known as the "winter vomiting bug".

The cast was staying at the Metropole on Princess Parade.

It came days after council staff were called to The Savoy on Queen's Promenade, which is also owned by the Britannia Group, after up to 40 guests were struck by a bug, again thought to be the Norovirus.

A Blackpool Council spokeswoman today confirmed: "Public protection officers visited the hotel over the weekend to investigate reports of illness after a number of guests became ill with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.

"Specimens have been requested from those who are ill to ascertain the nature of the infectious agent. Officers suspect this to be Norovirus, which is known to cause outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea.

"The incident has been discussed with the hotel management and we've offered written and verbal advice on control measures that need to be implemented in order to prevent the spread of infection.

Outbreak

"Medical experts from the Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Agency have been informed."

Management at The Metropole declined to comment.

Saturday's performance by balletLORENT was called off 15 minutes after the curtain was due to go up.

Grand Theatre house manager Stephen Williams took to the stage to break the bad news to the audience.

He said: "Unfortunately due to a virulent outbreak of food poisoning the company is unable to perform. They are unable to perform how they wish to perform and how you would like to see them perform."

It was, he said, the first time he had known a performance to be called off at such short notice. He offered "sincere apologies on behalf of the Grand Theatre and balletLORENT".

The audience was offered a full refund or credit note to use for future productions.

It was Newcastle-based balletLORENT's first visit to Blackpool. They performed their opening night on Friday.