A Highland hospital ward has been closed following a vomiting bug outbreak.

Ward 7C at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness was shut on Monday after three patients were diagnosed as having contracted norovirus.

The ward will not accept new admissions and visitors have been asked to stay away.

Four more patients are showing symptoms of the highly contagious bug, which causes diarrhoea, severe nausea and vomiting.

Dr Adam Brown, consultant microbiologist at NHS Highland, said: "This strain seems to have a longer incubation period.

"We would ask that anyone coming into the hospital needs to be clear for at least 72 hours.

"By doing this we will be able to limit the spread as much as possible. By restricting visiting to the affected area it helps hospital staff protect the health, privacy and dignity of our patients.

"Hospital staff will of course be very happy to talk to visitors on the phone so they can get updates on how their relatives are."