About 120 staff and patients have fallen victim to the illness at Hope Hospital in Salford.

All non-emergency operations have been cancelled for Friday and Saturday.

Staff who have been taken ill are being sent home immediately.

People have been asked not to visit friends and relatives if they feel they may be a risk to patients.

Those who do visit the hospital are being asked to wash their hands - one of the few ways of helping to stop the spread of the virus.

A decision about operations on Monday is due to be made on Friday afternoon.