A further ward in a Highland hospital has been closed to new admissions due to a norovirus outbreak.

Three wards at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness were closed in February due to symptoms of the diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Cases have now been confirmed in another ward, with visiting being kept to "an absolute minimum" while staff deal with the outbreak.

The winter vomiting bug usually lasts for 72 hours and is easily spread among people who are already ill.

Dr Jonty Mills, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: "We would request that visitors help us at this time by not visiting the ward unless absolutely necessary and having first arranged to do so by phoning the ward charge nurse.

"By restricting visiting to the affected area, it helps hospital staff protect the health, privacy and dignity of our patients.

"We would also ask that people do not come to the hospital to visit if they have, or live with someone who has, had any vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 48 hours. By doing this we will be able to limit the spread as much as possible.

"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."