Two wards at Wishaw General Hospital have been shut after a suspected outbreak of norovirus.

Elderly patients in wards nine and ten of the North Lanarkshire hospital are thought to have been infected with the virus, also known as the winter vomiting bug.

The wards are currently shut to new admissions and relatives are being told to avoid visiting patients.

Tests are under way to ascertain the cause of infection.

A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire said: "Restrictions are in place at wards 9 and 10 in Wishaw General Hospital due to suspected Norovirus.

"Infection prevention and control measures are being taken to reduce the spread of any infection and ensure the wards are back to normal as soon as possible.

"We would like to ask for the cooperation of visitors who can take some simple actions to minimise the impact of Norovirus.

"People should not visit hospital if they have symptoms of suspected Norovirus and they should wait until they have been clear of symptoms for at least 48 hours as they may still be contagious."