PATIENTS across Hampshire face continual problems as three major hospitals confirm they will carry on restricting visiting hours following reports of suspected cases of the norovirus.

Officials at The Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Andover War Memorial Hospital, and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, have restricted visiting hours to patients since the first breakout on December 20 was reported.

Patients at were unable to see loved ones for more than an hour during Christmas and the New Year, following cases of sickness and diarrhoea, as all wards at the three hospitals only allowed visitors to enter between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

Many sick and injured people will have spent the best part of the festive period alone.

The situation will be reviewed again shortly. The only change made affects the maternity unit which will allow visitors to enter between 3.30pm-4.30pm.

Children and the elderly are advised to steer clear of the hospital grounds and any who has experienced flu-like symptoms or diarrhoea and vomiting are asked to avoid going to the hospital at all.

For more information visit hampshirehosptials.nhs.uk.