A WARD at a Kent hospital has reopened after an outbreak of the winter vomiting virus.

Three patients on the Birchington Ward at Margate's QEQM Hospital were thought to have contracted the Norovirus bug. They have now been given the all clear.

East Kent NHS Trust carried out a "deep clean" operation on Thursday morning before reopening the section.

Earlier, Matthew Kershaw of East Kent NHS Trust said: "The outbreak started on Sunday night. There have been no incidents since Monday."

Several wards at Maidstone Hospital were shut in March because of the bug, which is common at this time of year.